In Hungary, Viktor Orban's brother arrested in illegal migration case
A court in Hungary has ordered the arrest of Aron Orban, the younger brother of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and his common-law wife. They are suspected of organizing the illegal transfer of foreigners to Western Europe.
The decision was made on November 11 by the Central District Court of Buda, Hungarian outlet Telex reports, citing a representative of the capital's court.
Aron Orban and his partner Izabella F. have been placed under arrest for one month. Another defendant in the case has been placed under four-month supervision with a ban on leaving Hungary and mandatory wearing of an electronic bracelet. A fourth suspect was allowed to remain free during the investigation.
According to investigators, members of the group helped at least 100 Vietnamese citizens illegally enter Western European countries via Hungary.
As reported by the Hungarian Prosecutor's Office, since 2022 the suspects organized fictitious educational programs that were used to obtain visas for foreigners. Applicants were charged fees for assistance with document processing.
According to investigators, many Vietnamese citizens who arrived in Hungary did not actually attend the declared courses. Instead, they continued traveling within the Schengen area, violating the terms of the issued visas.
Law enforcement believes the scheme operated in an organized manner and was aimed at systematically making a profit. If found guilty, the suspects could face five to ten years in prison.
In addition, Aron Orban is a suspect in a separate episode of influence peddling. According to investigators, he may have used alleged political connections to obtain illegal remuneration for assisting a commercial company.
The arrests took place on the morning of November 9 in Budapest, Fot, and Dunakeszi. Officers from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Asset Recovery Unit participated in the operation. A total of four people were detained.
The prosecutor's office insisted on the arrest of all defendants, citing the gravity of the alleged crimes, the possible punishment, and the suspects' extensive foreign connections.
The court also established that Aron Orban and his partner could influence the investigation, particularly the testimony of other participants in the case. For this reason, the judge refused to apply more lenient preventive measures. The decision is not yet final.
Aron Orban's lawyer Eva Edit Schalkhaz challenged the validity of the arrest. According to her, the defendant proactively contacted investigators several weeks before the arrest, provided his contact details, and expressed readiness to appear when summoned.
The defense believes there are no grounds to fear flight or destruction of evidence. The lawyer also stated that her client gave testimony in the case.
Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously called the matter politically motivated persecution. He claimed the real target of law enforcement is himself and that his brother is being used as a tool of pressure.
However, Aron Orban's lawyer stressed that the charges against her client do not mention the former head of government.
The investigation into possible visa processing violations began back in 2024. In May 2025, Telex published an investigation into Aron Orban's business connections and his involvement in companies that handled documents for foreigners.
The current court decision means the case moves to the next procedural stage. At the same time, the arrest is a preventive measure and does not mean the suspects are recognized as guilty.
