Investigative Journalist Accused of Spying Amid Hungary-EU Tensions
A prominent Hungarian journalist faces espionage charges as relations between Hungary and the EU deteriorate over alleged sharing of confidential information with Moscow.
Szabolcs Panyi, a leading investigative reporter in Hungary, has been charged with spying for Ukraine by the government, a move that comes in the wake of his reporting on allegations that the country's foreign minister had been in contact with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister.
The charges against Panyi cap off a tumultuous week in Hungarian politics, during which the country's relations with the European Union plummeted to new lows. Polls also suggest that Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party is still lagging behind in support before next month's election.
Panyi's reporting on the alleged communication between the Hungarian foreign minister and Lavrov has been a major source of tension. The government's move to file charges against the journalist has been widely interpreted as an attempt to suppress critical journalism and deflect attention from the underlying issues.
Source: The Guardian
