Page 37 - bne_March 2025_20250304

bne March 2025 Central Europe I 37
Fidesz in panic mode ahead of release of explosive documentary on Orban family’s wealth. / bne IntelliNews
Fidesz in panic mode ahead of release of explosive documentary on Orban family’s wealth
bne IntelliNews
Investigative outlet Direkt36 has released a trailer for its upcoming documentary on the Orban family’s business empire, sparking accusations from the government that the film is part of a foreign smear campaign.
Fidesz parliamentary leader Mate Kocsis on February 4 claimed Ukrainian intelligence is financing efforts to undermine Prime Minister Viktor Orban, alleging that Hungarian and international journalists are spreading false reports to damage his reputation.
The Ukrainian state's smear campaign "expressly aims to undermine the international reputation of the head
of government and weaken Hungary's ability to enforce its interests, Kocsis said on Tuesday, 4 February, after a meeting of Parliament's national security committee.
According to Kocsis, Hungarian security services presented evidence at
the meeting suggesting that Kyiv had allocated funds to manipulate the press. He went further, accusing independent media of "willing to sell out the homeland for Ukrainian money."
Earlier in the day, pro-government
daily Magyar Nemzet formulated the same accusations claiming without any evidence, that Ukrainian money was behind the video titled with the telling name of The Dynasty: the Orban family's businesses.
The investigative news site, celebrating its 10th year of foundation, said
there is no shred of truth behind the accusations.
The journalists emphasized that the documentary builds upon years of investigative work by Hungarian reporters, many of whom have uncovered significant details about the Orbán family's business dealings.
They also challenged critics to factually refute the film’s findings rather than discrediting their work with political attacks.
Direkt36 released a one-minute trailer six days ago, but has not signalled when the full documentary will be aired. Subscribers will be allowed to view the film first.
"By the end of the 15th year of the Orban's regime, the PM's son-in-law became one of the richest persons in Hungary by marrying Orban’s daughter. Istvan Tiborcz built an empire of luxury real estates, financial and logistical companies.
Mr and Mrs. Tiborcz claim that they achieved this own their own, but reality is different", according to the trailer.
Direkt36 promised to reveal new and previously undisclosed information about the wealth accumulation of the Orban family.
www.bne.eu