Brother of former Hungarian PM Viktor Orban is arrested for human trafficking

Published: 09:10 EST, 9 November 2026 | Updated: 09:11 EST, 9 November 2026 The brother of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was arrested on Monday for human trafficking, a press release revealed today.Hungary's leader, Peter Magyar, shared the news on Facebook, writing: 'According to press reports, Viktor Orban's brother, Aron Orban, has been taken into custody on suspicion of human trafficking.'The original report comes from Kontroll, a news site owned by Magyar's brother Marton Magyar.Former premier Orban called the detention a 'dirty game', accusing the government of trying to eliminate its political opponents.'I am the target; my brother is merely a tool,' he wrote on Facebook.Like other members of the Orban family, Aron Orban built several successful business ventures during his brother's time in power.Last year, investigative journalists linked one of his companies to an alleged visa facilitation scheme that offered preferential access to Hungarian work visas for foreigners. Former premier Orban called the detention a 'dirty game', accusing the government of trying to eliminate its political opponents Hungary's current leader, Peter Magyar, shared the news on Facebook Cars are seen parked in front of the housing estate where Aron Orban reportedly resides,Police said 'several people have been taken into custody' in Budapest and in two towns in the surrounding Pest County in an operation carried out in connection with human trafficking.'Searches are currently under way at the homes of those under investigation,' the statement said.'We expect to provide further updates this afternoon regarding the details of the offences and the investigative measures carried out today,' it added.The joint operation was carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation (NNI) and the National Asset Recovery and Protection Agency (NVVH), an anti-graft body with sweeping powers established as part of Magyar's accountability drive.In September, NVVH took over four investigations, including one related to influence-peddling that could involve Aron Orban, according to local media.That case centres on an illicit group that allegedly promised to bypass standard administrative procedures to grant visas to foreign nationals in exchange for money.Several investigations have gained momentum since Orban lost power.Three ex-ministers are in custody, including former central bank governor Gyorgy Matolcsy, whom Orban once called his 'right-hand' man.Pro-EU conservative Magyar won a landslide election victory in April to end 16 years in power for Orban, promising to investigate alleged corruption and abuse of office during his rival's rule. Since taking office in May, the conservative leader has sought to repair the relationship with the EU and the central European country's key allies and partners.Those had soured under nationalist ex-prime minister Orban's 16-year rule, marked by frequent tussles with Brussels and other EU countries.