Former Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó May Face Prison Time

• 17.07.2026, 8:49

For treason.

Hungary is investigating the ties between former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russia. Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced the launch of the investigation, according to Bloomberg.

It is noted that Szijjártó has been under close scrutiny following the leak earlier this year of recordings in which he briefs his Russian counterpart on meetings in the European Union and offers to help ease EU sanctions against Moscow.

When asked whether the promised investigation into Szijjártó’s alleged ties to Moscow is already underway, Magyar replied, “As far as I understand, yes.”
But he declined to provide further details.

In the leaked recording of a phone conversation between Szijjártó and Sergey Lavrov that was leaked online, the Hungarian minister can be heard asking his Russian counterpart to provide arguments to be used at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Earlier, Magyar stated that the recordings apparently indicate treason on Szijjártó’s part and that this matter requires a thorough investigation. The former foreign minister claimed that the conversation was routine diplomatic communication.

This week, Szijjártó resigned from his seat in parliament to take a leadership position at BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle giant.