Hungarian Foreign Ministry Organized "Extras" at Szijjártó's Press Conferences

Ministry employees were asked to fill the hall before the speeches of the foreign minister, as independent journalists were not invited to the events.

In the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, their own employees could have been used to fill the halls during press conferences of former minister Peter Szijjártó. This was reported by the Hungarian publication 444.

According to journalists, employees from various ministry divisions were asked to be present at the events to ensure there were no free seats in the hall.

The conversations were about press conferences for which independent journalists were often not invited.

Former MFA employees said that heads of divisions were sent letters indicating the number of people they expected to attend the event. Employees were asked to inform in advance who would be present. They were required to fill seats in the hall on 50-60 chairs.

According to sources, the task was only to occupy seats in the hall. Some employees were asked to come about half an hour before the start of the event and stay in their seats until Szijjártó finished speaking.

One former employee said that participants were often selected regardless of their professional field. If there were not enough volunteers, people could be assigned by force.

According to the media, the need to fill the halls arose due to a limited number of invited media representatives.

Independent editors did not receive invitations, and at some events there was only one journalist from a state information agency present.

As a reminder, Szijjártó is involved in a case concerning possible bribery. If proven guilty, he could face up to three years in prison.

Also in Hungary, a probe has begun into state subsidies to the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD—the company where Szijjártó worked after leaving parliament.

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