Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that an attempt was made to "draw Hungary into a hot conflict" by fabricating and spreading a story that would put the country in the crosshairs. This was reported by the Hungarian news agency MTI, BTA reports.
Orban commented in an interview with public radio that the "fake news" about the appearance of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Budapest was "the most important event of the week" and "the most painful".
He stressed the importance of this type of information, which could lead to serious international consequences.
Hungary and the migration crisis
The prime minister recalled that during the first phase of the civil war in Syria, around 2015, Europe was faced with a massive migration and terrorist wave that left hundreds of victims behind.
"What is happening in Syria, and its impact on Europe, is not a joke or fake news that can be spread; this could become bloody", he said.
A plot against Hungary?
Orbán expressed concern that "someone wants to drag Hungary into a hot conflict and make it a target". According to him, the one who claims that Assad is in Hungary pursues certain goals and wants the country to become a "hunting ground" for the interests of third parties.
He asked a number of questions: who is behind this information, who invented it, what is the goal, who from Hungary was involved and how was this hoax spread?
According to the Prime Minister, an investigation is needed to establish the sources and intentions behind these actions.