On June 25, Hungary's Sovereignty Protection Office, a state body inspired by Russia and established by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, launched an investigation into the anti-corruption organization Transparency International's Hungarian branch and the investigative journalism outlet Atlatszo. The probe alleges that these organizations are influencing the Hungarian electorate using foreign funding. Transparency International Hungary has criticized the move as a government attempt to curb foreign influence. The U.S. State Department, CIA, and EU institutions have expressed immediate concerns regarding the investigation. The investigation continued into June 26.
Transparency watchdog investigated as Hungary tries to curb ‘foreign influence’ https://t.co/JX5md4umKS
🇭🇺HUNGARY INVESTIGATES ANTI-CORRUPTION WATCHDOG FOR FOREIGN FINANCING Hungary's Sovereignty Protection Office is investigating Transparency International's Hungarian branch for alleged foreign financing and political interference. TI Hungary criticized the move as a government… https://t.co/eYlx9udu2G
✊We stand in full solidarity with @Atlatszo (led by @bodoky) who are probed by the Orbán government's Sovereignty Protection Office which “investigates organizations that use foreign funding to influence the will of voters or support such activities.” https://t.co/ViS7RsGGJZ
Hungary Launches Foreign Influence Investigation - U.S. State Dept, CIA and EU Influence Institutions Immediately Complain https://t.co/wNIpuDbAAa
Hungary launches investigation into anti-corruption watchdog https://t.co/FdF8Wehw4T https://t.co/7xA4YFZ3wm
Orban’s crackdown on CSOs stating “foreign funding.” The West must do everything in its legal powers to finish with these dictators and wannabe dictators already! Georgia is the testing ground now for so many other enlargement states too. I feel like the voice in the wilderness. https://t.co/SnOCdfJ2hW
‼️Hungary’s Russia-inspired Sovereignty Protection Office started a probe into anti-corruption NGO @Transparency_HU and investigative journalism outlet @Atlatszo for alleged “influencing of the Hungarian electorate” using “foreign funding”. https://t.co/t9rSOgBEr6
A controversial state body set up by Prime Minister Viktor Orban has started a probe into the graft watchdog Transparency International’s Hungarian arm https://t.co/Vi0F8KSSrF