Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 18m

🕵️ Several people in Czechia work for spyware firm Intellexa, accused of aiding human rights abuses and now on trial in Greece. We found the address of a key Israeli figure in a Czech town — marked by a huge Israeli flag. @investigace_cz @VSquare_Project

How a Czech Supply Chain Feeds the Global Spyware Machine - VSquare.org

Several people living in the Czech Republic have worked for Intellexa, the spyware company, representatives of which have been accused of assisting with human rights violations and are currently on trial in Greece.

vsquare.org

3 8

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 21h

💥🔎NEW INVESTIGATION: We reveal how, under now-Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, Hungarian intelligence spied in Brussels against the EU, attempting to recruit Hungarians working in EU institutions.

@direkt36.bsky.social @papertrailmedia.de @spiegel.de @tijd.be @larsbove.bsky.social @hmnzngr.bsky.social

Inside the Fall of Viktor Orbán’s Secret Brussels Spy Network - Direkt36

In the 2010s, Hungarian intelligence began spying in Brussels against the EU and tried to recruit Hungarians working in EU institutions for this purpose. However, Hungarian intelligence carried it out...

www.direkt36.hu

43 61

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 21h

💥🔎NEW INVESTIGATION: We reveal how, under now-Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, Hungarian intelligence spied in Brussels against the EU, attempting to recruit Hungarians working in EU institutions.

@direkt36.bsky.social @papertrailmedia.de @spiegel.de @tijd.be @larsbove.bsky.social @hmnzngr.bsky.social

Inside the Fall of Viktor Orbán’s Secret Brussels Spy Network - Direkt36

In the 2010s, Hungarian intelligence began spying in Brussels against the EU and tried to recruit Hungarians working in EU institutions for this purpose. However, Hungarian intelligence carried it out...

www.direkt36.hu

43 61

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 23h

An extremely proud day for Hungarians. I just really hope Orbán’s proxies won’t launch a smear campaign, since Krasznahorkai is an outspoken critic of contemporary fascism, far-right politics, and Viktor Orbán himself.

7 110 320

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Bastian Obermayer @bastianobermayer.bsky.social · 1d

Oops. Ungarn spioniert in Brüssel... Spannende Recherche von @hmnzngr.bsky.social für @spiegel.de, @derstandard.at & @papertrailmedia.de, mit @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social, Andras Petho and @larsbove.bsky.social 🔥🔥

paper trail media @papertrailmedia.de · 1d

NEU: Wie Ungarns Spione in Brüssel gegen die EU arbeiteten. Unsere Recherche mit @tijd.be und @direkt36.bsky.social zeigt erstmals, wie der ungarische Auslandsgeheimdienst EU-Beamte ins Visier nahm - und aufflog. Hier geht's zum Text im SPIEGEL www.spiegel.de/ausland/eu-w...

(S+) EU: Wie Ungarns Agenten in Brüssel Informanten anzuwerben versuchten

Ungarische Spione trieben wohl jahrelang ihr Unwesen in Brüssel. Recherchen zeigen erstmals, dass sie sogar EU-Beamte rekrutieren wollten.

www.spiegel.de

3 34 85

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

paper trail media @papertrailmedia.de · 1d

Ein Agent, getarnt als Diplomat in der ungarischen EU-Vertretung, versuchte offenbar zwischen 2015 und 2017 Mitarbeiter der Kommission zu rekrutieren – inklusive Geldangebot. Einer, den er ansprach, erzählt uns davon: www.derstandard.at/story/310000...

Orbáns Agenten in Brüssel: Recherche enthüllt ungarisches Spionagenetz

Ungarns Geheimdienst betrieb jahrelang ein Spionagenetzwerk in Brüssel. Recherchen zeigen erstmals, wie die Agenten vorgingen

www.derstandard.at

2 36 91

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

paper trail media @papertrailmedia.de · 1d

NEU: Wie Ungarns Spione in Brüssel gegen die EU arbeiteten. Unsere Recherche mit @tijd.be und @direkt36.bsky.social zeigt erstmals, wie der ungarische Auslandsgeheimdienst EU-Beamte ins Visier nahm - und aufflog. Hier geht's zum Text im SPIEGEL www.spiegel.de/ausland/eu-w...

(S+) EU: Wie Ungarns Agenten in Brüssel Informanten anzuwerben versuchten

Ungarische Spione trieben wohl jahrelang ihr Unwesen in Brüssel. Recherchen zeigen erstmals, dass sie sogar EU-Beamte rekrutieren wollten.

www.spiegel.de

2 40 67

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, it’s our joint investigation. :)

1 1 4

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 1d

🔎 We analyzed thousands of Meta and Google ads paid by V4 (🇨🇿🇭🇺🇵🇱🇸🇰) politicians and proxies that attacked journalists, activists and NGOs.

💰U.S. Big Tech profited from hateful content spread by allies of PM Robert Fico, PM Viktor Orbán, or Czech extremists.

🔗 Full story: vsquare.org/sponsored-ha...

1 20 49

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 2d

🧐One of Viktor Orbán's MPs and a Hungarian government commissioner just shared a bizarre AI-generated image suggesting it’s over for Ursula von der Leyen and that “the Patriots have arrived.”

A drunk trio of Orbán, Babiš, and Fico ring her doorbell—with Fico barely managing to stay on his feet.

7 10 40

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 1d

🔎 We analyzed thousands of Meta and Google ads paid by V4 (🇨🇿🇭🇺🇵🇱🇸🇰) politicians and proxies that attacked journalists, activists and NGOs.

💰U.S. Big Tech profited from hateful content spread by allies of PM Robert Fico, PM Viktor Orbán, or Czech extremists.

🔗 Full story: vsquare.org/sponsored-ha...

1 20 49

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 2d

💥🔎💰NEW INVESTIGATION: Across the Visegrád countries, politicians use paid social media ads to attack journalists, human rights activists, and NGOs – while Meta & Google profit from this #SponsoredHate. Such ads reach tens of thousands of users while evading platform moderation. @vsquare.bsky.social

Sponsored Hate: How Politicians Paid for Meta Ads to Attack Journalists - VSquare.org

Across the Visegrád countries, politicians have increasingly used paid social media ads to attack journalists, human rights activists, and civil society organizations.

vsquare.org

5 43 85

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 2d

🧐One of Viktor Orbán's MPs and a Hungarian government commissioner just shared a bizarre AI-generated image suggesting it’s over for Ursula von der Leyen and that “the Patriots have arrived.”

A drunk trio of Orbán, Babiš, and Fico ring her doorbell—with Fico barely managing to stay on his feet.

7 10 40

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 2d

💥🔎💰NEW INVESTIGATION: Across the Visegrád countries, politicians use paid social media ads to attack journalists, human rights activists, and NGOs – while Meta & Google profit from this #SponsoredHate. Such ads reach tens of thousands of users while evading platform moderation. @vsquare.bsky.social

Sponsored Hate: How Politicians Paid for Meta Ads to Attack Journalists - VSquare.org

Across the Visegrád countries, politicians have increasingly used paid social media ads to attack journalists, human rights activists, and civil society organizations.

vsquare.org

5 43 85

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

VSquare.org @vsquare.bsky.social · 3d

💥 Estonian authorities have detained two suspects tied to the GRU parcel bomb plot that shook Europe last year, when explosive devices hidden in packages sent from Estonia detonated in countries including Germany, the UK, and Poland.

“An Old Acquaintance From Russia Contacted Me”: Parcel-Bomb Explosions Suspects Arrested - VSquare.org

Estonian authorities have detained two suspects linked to Russia’s GRU parcel bomb plot that shook Europe last year, when explosive devices hidden in packages sent from Estonia detonated in multiple countries.

vsquare.org

11 23

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Henry Foy @henryjfoy.ft.com · 3d

Brussels to curb the travel of Russian diplomats within the EU, in response to a surge in sabotage attempts that intelligence agencies say are led by spies operating under diplomatic cover.

Czech-led initiative backed after Hungary drops its veto. With @andybounds.bsky.social

on.ft.com/46Umr0T

EU to curb Russian diplomats’ travel as suspected spy attacks mount

[FREE TO READ] Intelligence agencies say sabotage operations are often led by spies posing as diplomats

on.ft.com

9 48 160

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 3d

💥🔎🇷🇺 Our analysis reveals the scale of Russia’s massive propaganda offensive in Moldova: in 3 weeks, 9,900 TikTok videos were published and generated over 93 million views, created with artificial intelligence. Yet despite Moscow’s efforts, the pro-European PAS secured 50.2% in the Sept 28 election.

24/7 Russian Propaganda Blitz Hit Moldova Before the Elections - VSquare.org

Moldovans had faced months, if not years, of an information onslaught at levels beyond what just about any society has faced. In the end, the pro-European ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) w...

vsquare.org

15 180 440

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 3d

💥🔎🇷🇺 Our analysis reveals the scale of Russia’s massive propaganda offensive in Moldova: in 3 weeks, 9,900 TikTok videos were published and generated over 93 million views, created with artificial intelligence. Yet despite Moscow’s efforts, the pro-European PAS secured 50.2% in the Sept 28 election.

24/7 Russian Propaganda Blitz Hit Moldova Before the Elections - VSquare.org

Moldovans had faced months, if not years, of an information onslaught at levels beyond what just about any society has faced. In the end, the pro-European ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) w...

vsquare.org

15 180 440

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 5d

💥🌈Despite the Orbán government's ban under the homophobic “child protection law,” thousands joined today’s Pride march in the Hungarian city of Pécs. Far-right protesters showed up, but police protected the march—just as they did when 100-200K defied the Budapest Pride ban this summer

📸: 444.hu

3 32 110

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Ben Stanley @benstanley.eu · 4d

You know how there’s that one mate of yours who lurches from personal crisis to personal crisis, keeps losing his job, goes through a string of emotionally devastating relationships and yet somehow comes out of it with an enviable lifestyle?

France.

Stanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 4d

Bloody hell. Lecornu out.

1 13 59

Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 6d

💰Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz and their proxies spent six times more on Facebook ads than all Czech parties combined. In Czechia, it was an election campaign; in Hungary, it wasn’t. The Orbán camp' paid content is still live on Facebook and YouTube despite a new ban.

Source: @HungarianSunday on X

1 30 70

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 5d

💥🌈Despite the Orbán government's ban under the homophobic “child protection law,” thousands joined today’s Pride march in the Hungarian city of Pécs. Far-right protesters showed up, but police protected the march—just as they did when 100-200K defied the Budapest Pride ban this summer

📸: 444.hu

3 32 110

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 5d

☕💡Independent investigations into corruption and abuse of power don’t come easy—they require time, resources, and risk. If you’d like to help me keep going, you can support here:

Szabolcs Panyi is doing investigative journalism & holding power to account - Buymeacoffee

Szia! 👋I’m a Budapest-based investigative journalist dedicated to uncovering corruption, abuse of power, and Russian and Chinese espionage and influence operations in Central Europe. I also work

buymeacoffee.com

3 11

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 5d

💥🔎 On X/Twitter, Visegrád24 became famous for its anti-Muslim and anti-migration stance as well as waves of disinformation. A recent report brings to light people, funding and political actors tied to their Central Europe-based but international network.

Unmasking Visegrád24: Tracing the People, Money, and Political Connections - VSquare.org

Visegrád24 became famous for its anti-Muslim and anti-migration stance as well as waves of disinformation. A recent report by the Centre for Information Integrity in Africa (CINIA) brings to light a previously little-mentioned person tied to the network.

vsquare.org

8 23

Szabolcs Panyi @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social · 6d

💰Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz and their proxies spent six times more on Facebook ads than all Czech parties combined. In Czechia, it was an election campaign; in Hungary, it wasn’t. The Orbán camp' paid content is still live on Facebook and YouTube despite a new ban.

Source: @HungarianSunday on X

1 30 70