Hungarian Ministry investigates irregular diplomatic passport issuances

The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is investigating the irregular issuance of nearly 500 diplomatic passports during the previous administration. Diplomatic passports grant significant privileges, including visa exemptions and diplomatic immunity, and are legally reserved for those performing diplomatic missions.

One prominent case involves professional footballer Balázs Dzsudzsák. Investigations revealed that Dzsudzsák obtained the document in 2019 after sending a personal letter to then-Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, which he signed with the informal closing, ‘Balázs Dzsudzsák Tesóka’. The Ministry noted that the request was processed the very next day.

While the Ministry previously justified the passport by citing Dzsudzsák’s role as the national team captain, current Foreign Minister Anita Orbán has since revoked the authorization for the document. The Ministry confirmed that Dzsudzsák has already returned the passport via mail. This case is part of a broader crackdown, as the new administration has identified 943 diplomatic passports that were issued without justification.