Leak of EU document confirms existence of Hungarian spy network

A leaked European Commission document states that Hungary allegedly ran a diplomatic intelligence network targeting EU employees between 2012 and 2018, once again drawing attention to EU Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi and calls for his resignation. This is reported by Euronews, writes UNN.

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EU Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi has come under renewed scrutiny after a leaked European Commission document indicated that Hungary's permanent representation to the EU may have operated as a spy network during his tenure as Hungary's permanent representative.

In October last year, several media outlets reported that Hungary's permanent representation to the EU in Brussels allegedly created a network of intelligence agents who, under the guise of diplomats, collected data on Hungarians working in the European Commission between 2012 and 2018.

Várhelyi came under investigation because he served as Hungary's ambassador to the EU from 2015 to 2019, which partially overlaps with the period under review. He was later nominated for the position of EU Commissioner by then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Várhelyi denies any knowledge of the existence of a spy network.

The document, seen by Euronews, is signed by EU Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin and informs Members of the European Parliament about the results of an internal investigation into the espionage allegations.

The letter states that "the intelligence agents used their official positions to carry out a special mission that likely went beyond the normal diplomatic functions of permanent representations."

"Specifically, it involved establishing contacts with Commission employees of Hungarian origin and attempting to obtain from them detailed information regarding the work of the European Commission on matters of interest to the Hungarian government."

Serafin's letter also notes that no serious security breaches were detected.

Following the release of the European Commission's findings, Várhelyi faced renewed criticism.

The Commission announced the results of the investigation at a briefing in early May, several weeks after the elections in Hungary, which led to the resignation of Viktor Orbán.

Várhelyi was effectively exonerated in the statement and remained in his post. At the same time, Hungary's new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, stated that the commissioner is not telling the whole truth.

In the event of a serious breach of trust, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen could demand Várhelyi's resignation. If he refuses, the matter could be referred to the Court of Justice of the EU.

According to experts, confirmation of the existence of a spy network calls into question Várhelyi's suitability for the position of EU Commissioner.

Some European lawmakers have also stated that he no longer meets the requirements of the office, and calls for his resignation have previously been heard in the European Parliament.

At the same time, there are concerns in Brussels about creating a precedent where commissioners could be removed due to political changes in EU member states, complicating decision-making regarding his resignation.

Hungary plans to declassify archives of communist secret services25.06.26, 04:56 • 5601 view