Szabolcs Panyi
@szabolcspanyi.bsky.social
Journalist investigating Central Europe 🇭🇺🇵🇱🇸🇰🇨🇿 at VSquare.org and Direkt36.hu. Corruption, illiberalism, 🇷🇺 and 🇨🇳 meddling.
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Szabolcs Panyi
@szabolcspanyi.bsky.social
· Aug 27
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
☕💡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:
💥 Viktor Orbán faces a possible ousting in April 2026 — and whether he manages to cling to power or not, his regime and its global allure as a model for autocrats worldwide are crumbling. Read the sharpest analysis available.
The Era of Orbánism as an Exportable Model May Be Ending - VSquare.org
Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán’s once-admired “illiberal model” is faltering — plagued by economic crisis, voter frustration, and collapsing governance. With the 2026 election looming, his future — and the global appeal of his system — is at stake as his government faces its biggest political test.
vsquare.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
💥 Viktor Orbán faces a possible ousting in April 2026 — and whether he manages to cling to power or not, his regime and its global allure as a model for autocrats worldwide are crumbling. Read the sharpest analysis available.
💥🇺🇸🇷🇺 The White House says Trump only gave Hungary a one-year exemption from US sanctions on Russian fossil fuels. But Orbán and his allies insist it’s “indefinite” and call anyone saying otherwise a liar. This chart sums up what’s wrong with Orbán’s pro-Kremlin policies and Russian energy dependency.
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 PM
💥🇺🇸🇷🇺 The White House says Trump only gave Hungary a one-year exemption from US sanctions on Russian fossil fuels. But Orbán and his allies insist it’s “indefinite” and call anyone saying otherwise a liar. This chart sums up what’s wrong with Orbán’s pro-Kremlin policies and Russian energy dependency.
☕💡Independent investigations into corruption, espionage, and power abuses take time, resources, and risk. If you value my reporting on Russian influence and Orbán’s reach in Central Europe, you can support my work directly:
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
November 9, 2025 at 8:11 PM
☕💡Independent investigations into corruption, espionage, and power abuses take time, resources, and risk. If you value my reporting on Russian influence and Orbán’s reach in Central Europe, you can support my work directly:
🇭🇺 EXCLUSIVE: An in-depth look at how Viktor Orbán and Fidesz underestimated Péter Magyar until it was too late. Direkt36 reveals how Orbán’s spring offensive against him backfired—fueling internal tensions and exposing cracks inside the government.
”The situation is tense” – How Orbán has tried overcome Fidesz’s internal crisis - Direkt36
Fidesz underestimated opposition leader Péter Magyar so much that they realized too late that he posed a real threat to them. Direkt36 reveals how Viktor Orbán launched his spring offensive against Magyar and how this caused tensions within the government.
www.direkt36.hu
November 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
🇭🇺 EXCLUSIVE: An in-depth look at how Viktor Orbán and Fidesz underestimated Péter Magyar until it was too late. Direkt36 reveals how Orbán’s spring offensive against him backfired—fueling internal tensions and exposing cracks inside the government.
🙏🇨🇿 So that I also post some nice things sometimes: a Czech friend gifted me this vintage matchbox — original 1989 merch showing Václav Havel with the slogan “Guarantee of Free Elections.”
Wishing my Czech friends strength as their institutions face whatever challenges await.
Wishing my Czech friends strength as their institutions face whatever challenges await.
November 9, 2025 at 1:59 PM
🙏🇨🇿 So that I also post some nice things sometimes: a Czech friend gifted me this vintage matchbox — original 1989 merch showing Václav Havel with the slogan “Guarantee of Free Elections.”
Wishing my Czech friends strength as their institutions face whatever challenges await.
Wishing my Czech friends strength as their institutions face whatever challenges await.
Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi
🔎🩺INVESTIGATION: Doctors stripped of their licenses for gross misconduct can still work abroad. Reporters found 100+ cases of banned doctors relicensed elsewhere. In Germany, one lost his Swiss license for sexual assault yet still practices. #BadPractice
Bad Practice: How Banned Doctors Find New Jobs Across Europe - VSquare.org
Failed warning systems, complacent officials, and a lack of accountability mean doctors who have lost their medical licenses due to serious wrongdoing can relocate and practice in different countries across Europe and beyond.
vsquare.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🔎🩺INVESTIGATION: Doctors stripped of their licenses for gross misconduct can still work abroad. Reporters found 100+ cases of banned doctors relicensed elsewhere. In Germany, one lost his Swiss license for sexual assault yet still practices. #BadPractice
Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi
In Central Europe, politicians use paid social media ads to attack media, activists & NGOs. From Orbán's Hungary to Fico' Slovakia, these campaigns spread disinformation and hate, reaching tens of thousands while Meta and Google profit from #SponsoredHate.
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
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In Central Europe, politicians use paid social media ads to attack media, activists & NGOs. From Orbán's Hungary to Fico' Slovakia, these campaigns spread disinformation and hate, reaching tens of thousands while Meta and Google profit from #SponsoredHate.
Viktor Orbán flew to Washington DC for his meeting with Trump with a plane full of his Hungarian propagandists, whose poor performance shows in his sinking poll numbers. He then joked he'd like to hire White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to work for him for a few months.
November 7, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Viktor Orbán flew to Washington DC for his meeting with Trump with a plane full of his Hungarian propagandists, whose poor performance shows in his sinking poll numbers. He then joked he'd like to hire White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to work for him for a few months.
–President Trump, sir, any chance you'll meet with Putin in Budapest at some point?
–Should Hungary be allowed to purchase Russian oil?
Good to see there's still journalists out there trying to ask real questions – Orbán only brought a pool of propagandists with himself to DC.
–Should Hungary be allowed to purchase Russian oil?
Good to see there's still journalists out there trying to ask real questions – Orbán only brought a pool of propagandists with himself to DC.
November 7, 2025 at 8:27 PM
–President Trump, sir, any chance you'll meet with Putin in Budapest at some point?
–Should Hungary be allowed to purchase Russian oil?
Good to see there's still journalists out there trying to ask real questions – Orbán only brought a pool of propagandists with himself to DC.
–Should Hungary be allowed to purchase Russian oil?
Good to see there's still journalists out there trying to ask real questions – Orbán only brought a pool of propagandists with himself to DC.
💥Today’s Trump-Orbán meeting will show if this administration is stupid enough to buy Orbán’s excuse that Hungary, as a “landlocked country,” must import Russian oil. For decades, the US has (unsuccessfully) urged Budapest to cut this corrupting tie through which the Kremlin captured its elite.
November 7, 2025 at 11:06 AM
💥Today’s Trump-Orbán meeting will show if this administration is stupid enough to buy Orbán’s excuse that Hungary, as a “landlocked country,” must import Russian oil. For decades, the US has (unsuccessfully) urged Budapest to cut this corrupting tie through which the Kremlin captured its elite.
🕵️ 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
November 7, 2025 at 10:12 AM
🕵️ 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
💥🔎🇷🇺 This new analysis reveals the scale of Russia’s massive propaganda offensive in Moldova: 9,900 AI-generated TikTok videos with over 93 million views. Yet despite Moscow’s efforts, the pro-European PAS won the election. Read the full details on @vsquare.bsky.social:
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) won 50.2% of the vote, while the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc managed only 24.2%, despite well-documented foreign interference, mainly from Russia and pro Kremlin actors.
vsquare.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM
💥🔎🇷🇺 This new analysis reveals the scale of Russia’s massive propaganda offensive in Moldova: 9,900 AI-generated TikTok videos with over 93 million views. Yet despite Moscow’s efforts, the pro-European PAS won the election. Read the full details on @vsquare.bsky.social:
💥🇷🇺 Russian Orthodox bishop Hilarion (Grigory Alfeyev), Patriarch Kirill’s ex–No. 2, is seen here harassing his young assistant George Suzuki — who shared the video with
@denikn.cz. Hilarion served in Budapest, cozying up to Viktor Orbán, now based in Karlovy Vary. More: denikn.cz/1880250/lezl...
@denikn.cz. Hilarion served in Budapest, cozying up to Viktor Orbán, now based in Karlovy Vary. More: denikn.cz/1880250/lezl...
November 6, 2025 at 11:38 AM
💥🇷🇺 Russian Orthodox bishop Hilarion (Grigory Alfeyev), Patriarch Kirill’s ex–No. 2, is seen here harassing his young assistant George Suzuki — who shared the video with
@denikn.cz. Hilarion served in Budapest, cozying up to Viktor Orbán, now based in Karlovy Vary. More: denikn.cz/1880250/lezl...
@denikn.cz. Hilarion served in Budapest, cozying up to Viktor Orbán, now based in Karlovy Vary. More: denikn.cz/1880250/lezl...
💥A Russian man charged in Poland with spying has admitted giving information to the FSB. Igor Rogov and his wife passed details on Russian opposition activists in Poland and those helping them—including Polish MFA officials. Rogov used to work for the pro-democracy Open Russia movement.
Russian Charged With Spying in Poland Admits Passing Data to FSB – Polish Media - The Moscow Times
A Russian national charged in Poland with spying for Russian intelligence has admitted to passing information to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Polish media reported Monday, citing case file...
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:24 AM
💥A Russian man charged in Poland with spying has admitted giving information to the FSB. Igor Rogov and his wife passed details on Russian opposition activists in Poland and those helping them—including Polish MFA officials. Rogov used to work for the pro-democracy Open Russia movement.
📉🇭🇺 INVESTIGATION: Viktor Orbán vowed to boost Hungary’s population without immigrants. But births keep falling—and emigration is soaring. Direkt36's investigation shows many young people are leaving, posing serious risks for the country’s future.
Inside Viktor Orbán’s Failure to Achieve His Demographic Goal - VSquare.org
The Prime Minister has long said that he would like to grow the population of Hungary without bringing in immigrants. Recently, births have fallen, but the number of people leaving the country has also soared.
vsquare.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:46 PM
📉🇭🇺 INVESTIGATION: Viktor Orbán vowed to boost Hungary’s population without immigrants. But births keep falling—and emigration is soaring. Direkt36's investigation shows many young people are leaving, posing serious risks for the country’s future.
💥INVESTIGATION: For over a decade, ‘Pravfond’ has been providing legal aid to Russians abroad. Internal emails obtained by journalists show how it collaborated with Russian spies, funded propaganda efforts, and built points of influence along the way.
Russian Foundation, Aimed at Helping ‘Compatriots’ Abroad, Supports Spies, Criminals, and Propagandists - VSquare.org
For over a decade, ‘Pravfond’ has been providing legal aid to Russians across the world. Internal emails obtained by journalists show how it collaborated with spies, funded propaganda efforts, and built points of influence along the way.
vsquare.org
November 5, 2025 at 2:41 PM
💥INVESTIGATION: For over a decade, ‘Pravfond’ has been providing legal aid to Russians abroad. Internal emails obtained by journalists show how it collaborated with Russian spies, funded propaganda efforts, and built points of influence along the way.
Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi
🖤🇭🇺 On this day in 1956, Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest to crush the Hungarian revolution. Prime Minister Imre Nagy gave his final radio address as KGB chief Ivan Serov oversaw the brutal invasion. Nagy and other leaders were later executed, while over 200,000 Hungarians fled to the West.
November 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM
🖤🇭🇺 On this day in 1956, Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest to crush the Hungarian revolution. Prime Minister Imre Nagy gave his final radio address as KGB chief Ivan Serov oversaw the brutal invasion. Nagy and other leaders were later executed, while over 200,000 Hungarians fled to the West.
💰Donald Trump and his allies have long praised Orbán’s Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings. In 2022, Orbán told a conference of US conservatives, CPAC, that the path to power required “having their own media”. @theguardian.com
Shock as Orbán allies take ownership of Hungary’s most-read newspaper
Blikk, a tabloid with about 3 million online monthly readers, bought by pro-Orbán media group Indamedia
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:45 AM
💰Donald Trump and his allies have long praised Orbán’s Hungary even as it plunges in press freedom rankings. In 2022, Orbán told a conference of US conservatives, CPAC, that the path to power required “having their own media”. @theguardian.com
🖤🇭🇺 On this day in 1956, Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest to crush the Hungarian revolution. Prime Minister Imre Nagy gave his final radio address as KGB chief Ivan Serov oversaw the brutal invasion. Nagy and other leaders were later executed, while over 200,000 Hungarians fled to the West.
November 4, 2025 at 9:41 PM
🖤🇭🇺 On this day in 1956, Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest to crush the Hungarian revolution. Prime Minister Imre Nagy gave his final radio address as KGB chief Ivan Serov oversaw the brutal invasion. Nagy and other leaders were later executed, while over 200,000 Hungarians fled to the West.
Reposted by Szabolcs Panyi
💥House of Cards stuff from Hungary: Rumors long said Viktor Orbán’s team hides real polls from him showing the opposition TISZA party far ahead. Now TISZA leader Péter Magyar claims Orbán recently learned the truth from his possible successor, Minister János Lázár—and realized he can’t win fairly.
November 4, 2025 at 7:46 AM
💥House of Cards stuff from Hungary: Rumors long said Viktor Orbán’s team hides real polls from him showing the opposition TISZA party far ahead. Now TISZA leader Péter Magyar claims Orbán recently learned the truth from his possible successor, Minister János Lázár—and realized he can’t win fairly.
💥Ex-deputy Hungarian intelligence chief András Telkes says a hoax claimed Ukraine would reassemble downed Russian drones, arm them and send them to Poland and Romania as a false-flag provocation—a story spread both by Orbán and Kremlin propaganda (and the SVR). More: militarnyi.com/en/news/russ...
November 4, 2025 at 7:50 PM
💥Ex-deputy Hungarian intelligence chief András Telkes says a hoax claimed Ukraine would reassemble downed Russian drones, arm them and send them to Poland and Romania as a false-flag provocation—a story spread both by Orbán and Kremlin propaganda (and the SVR). More: militarnyi.com/en/news/russ...
💥Countries with the most porn stars per capita? Czechia, Latvia and Hungary top the list — ahead of the US & UK. This investigation uncovers how a mysterious Frenchman built a porn empire from his Czech base, using shady tactics to dominate the industry.
The Most Powerful Man in Porn? Meet Prague’s Porn Pharaoh - VSquare.org
Prague has been Europe’s unofficial porn capital for decades. For the past 20 years, one company and one man has dominated Europe’s porn industry.
vsquare.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
💥Countries with the most porn stars per capita? Czechia, Latvia and Hungary top the list — ahead of the US & UK. This investigation uncovers how a mysterious Frenchman built a porn empire from his Czech base, using shady tactics to dominate the industry.
💥House of Cards stuff from Hungary: Rumors long said Viktor Orbán’s team hides real polls from him showing the opposition TISZA party far ahead. Now TISZA leader Péter Magyar claims Orbán recently learned the truth from his possible successor, Minister János Lázár—and realized he can’t win fairly.
November 4, 2025 at 7:46 AM
💥House of Cards stuff from Hungary: Rumors long said Viktor Orbán’s team hides real polls from him showing the opposition TISZA party far ahead. Now TISZA leader Péter Magyar claims Orbán recently learned the truth from his possible successor, Minister János Lázár—and realized he can’t win fairly.
🇭🇺 EXCLUSIVE: An in-depth look at how Viktor Orbán and Fidesz underestimated Péter Magyar until it was too late. Direkt36 reveals how Orbán’s spring offensive against him backfired—fueling internal tensions and exposing cracks inside the government.
”The situation is tense” – How Orbán has tried overcome Fidesz’s internal crisis - Direkt36
Fidesz underestimated opposition leader Péter Magyar so much that they realized too late that he posed a real threat to them. Direkt36 reveals how Viktor Orbán launched his spring offensive against Magyar and how this caused tensions within the government.
www.direkt36.hu
November 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
🇭🇺 EXCLUSIVE: An in-depth look at how Viktor Orbán and Fidesz underestimated Péter Magyar until it was too late. Direkt36 reveals how Orbán’s spring offensive against him backfired—fueling internal tensions and exposing cracks inside the government.
💥Former deputy head of Hungary’s foreign intelligence, Andras Telkes, says that Viktor Orbán’s government cooperated politically with Russia’s SVR when Orbán adopted the Russian spy agency’s narrative claiming the EU was backing Hungary’s opposition leader. More on this: telex.hu/english/2025...
November 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
💥Former deputy head of Hungary’s foreign intelligence, Andras Telkes, says that Viktor Orbán’s government cooperated politically with Russia’s SVR when Orbán adopted the Russian spy agency’s narrative claiming the EU was backing Hungary’s opposition leader. More on this: telex.hu/english/2025...