Viktor Orban alleges political persecution after reported detention of brother in Hungary

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused the country's new government of political persecution following the reported arrest of his younger brother, Aron Orban.

According to a press report shared by current Prime Minister Peter Magyar, Hungarian police detained Aron Orban on Monday on suspicion of people smuggling and other offences. Viktor Orban's 16 years in power, which ended with his party's defeat in elections in April, were marked by a firm anti-immigration stance.

The arrest was first reported by the news outlet Kontroll, which is owned by Magyar's brother, Marton. Police carried out raids targeting business associates of Aron Orban, though local media said authorities had not confirmed whether he was among those detained.

Viktor Orban claimed the arrest was intended to shift public attention away from other matters facing the government. Writing on social media platform X, he suggested that he himself was the actual target of the action, with his brother being used as a means to reach him.

Like other members of the Orban family, Aron Orban built up several successful businesses during his brother's time in office. Last year, an investigation by the news site Telex linked Aron Orban and his business associates to an alleged scheme involving visas for foreign guest workers.

Authorities confirmed that four people had been detained in total on suspicion of involvement in people smuggling.