A mobile phone conversation between a Politico journalist and a close aide to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was intercepted and published in Hungary, according to reports. The incident has prompted an investigation by Belgian security services.
Dafydd ab Iago from the International Press Association (IPA) told Politico Europe that the interception sends "a scary message not only to journalists in Brussels but also to our sources." The call reportedly involved a Politico staff member and a close associate of von der Leyen.
sends a frightening message not only to journalists in Brussels but also to our sources.
According to news site Euractiv, the intercepted conversation did not contain anything secret or controversial. Both Politico and the European Commission reportedly found no traces of surveillance software on the phones involved.
The case comes amid broader security concerns in Brussels, where reports have emerged about Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó allegedly disclosing closed-door EU discussions to Moscow. The European Commission has called such reports "greatly concerning" and expects Hungary to provide clarifications.