Former Ukrainian diplomat detained and expelled from Hungary over espionage suspicion
Photo: Detention of a Ukrainian in Hungary (facebook.com/kormanyzat)
On the evening of May 9, a former Ukrainian diplomat was harshly detained in central Budapest. He is suspected of espionage, informs Telex.
According to the Hungarian government's Facebook page, the National Immigration Administration banned a Ukrainian citizen from entering or staying in the country due to suspicions of espionage. The authorities stated that he was deported the same night. He was accused of working under diplomatic cover, but his official status has now been revoked.
Telex reported that the Hungarian government's decision to post a video on its social media page was seen as a clear message to Kyiv. They also noted that the special forces had handcuffed the man during his arrest and forced him to kneel, which further escalated tensions. According to Telex, this incident marked a new blow to Hungarian-Ukrainian relations and intensified the ongoing espionage conflict between the two countries.
The publication also reported that the Ukrainian's wife co-owns a Ukrainian restaurant in Hungary's capital.
Who was detained
According to journalist Vitalii Hlahola, the detained individual is former First Secretary of the Ukrainian Embassy in Hungary, Serhii Aleksandrov.
Hlahola posted on his Telegram account that Hungarian intelligence stopped the ex-diplomat's car in central Budapest and arrested him in the street. He is now a civilian, not a diplomat.
According to the journalist, Aleksandrov owns two restaurants in Budapest. Hungarian media believe his arrest is related to the fact that the Security Service of Ukraine uncovered a Hungarian military intelligence network.
Ukraine's reaction
Less than an hour ago, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Heorhii Tykhyi, reacted to the situation. He called the event a "witch hunt" and urged the Hungarian authorities to stop the anti-Ukrainian hysteria.
"Regarding the detention of a Ukrainian national in downtown Budapest. When evidence runs out, the witch hunt begins. It is high time Hungarian authorities put an end to the senseless anti-Ukrainian hysteria," Tykhyi wrote on X.
Background
On May 9, the Security Service of Ukraine exposed agents of the Hungarian military intelligence operating in the Zakarpattia region of Ukraine.
They were reportedly gathering information on the state of military security in the regions, searching for weaknesses in both ground and air defense systems, and studying local sentiment in case Hungary decides to invade.
As a result, the Security Service of Ukraine detained two agents, who were charged with high treason, a crime punishable by life imprisonment.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó responded yesterday, suggesting that this information should be seen as "Ukrainian propaganda."
Furthermore, following the incident, Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats.
