Hungary Charges Investigative Journalist Szabolcs Panyi with Espionage for Ukraine

The Hungarian government charged investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi with espionage, alleging he spied for Ukraine. Panyi's reporting had exposed ties between Hungarian political figures and Russia, including communications between Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russian counterparts. The Sovereignty Protection Office brought the charge after state media published an edited recording of Panyi discussing a minister's phone number. Panyi rejected the allegations, calling his work journalistic counter-intelligence exposing Russian hacking and pro-Kremlin influence. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for dismissal of the charges.