Posted 12/13/2023, 2:55:00 PM
Hungary passes controversial law expanding government's power to investigate critics
- Hungarian parliament approved a "sovereignty protection law" allowing authorities to investigate critics accused of undermining the country's sovereignty
- Law enables new government authority to gather info on foreign-funded groups and prosecute violations
- Independent media and rights groups condemned the law as a way to silence government critics and independent journalism
- Law passed despite calls from EU and rights groups to abandon it over human rights concerns
- Allows Orbán broad new powers to target opponents amid disputes with EU over democratic backsliding and frozen funds