Hungarian MEP on Trial for Spying for Russia

A Hungarian member of the European Parliament went on trial in Budapest on Tuesday accused of spying on the EU for Russia.

The charges, filed against Bela Kovacs last December, comprise "spying against EU institutions" and "engaging in espionage in the interests of a foreign state."

Although Russia is not mentioned in the charge sheet, Kovacs, a frequent visitor to Moscow, is suspected by prosecutors of regularly meeting covertly with a Russian diplomat believed to be a secret service agent.

The 58-year-old politician is suspected of passing on information about energy issues, European Parliament (EP) elections, and Hungarian domestic politics.

Before Tuesday's preliminary hearing at the Budapest Regional Court -- closed to press and public on state secret grounds -- Kovacs questioned how he could know whether people were spies or not.

"It's not written on their foreheads," he said. 

Kovacs quit his membership of the nationalist Jobbik party immediately after the charges were raised.

He accused Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing party Fidesz of "using" him to attack Jobbik, which is Hungary's largest opposition party.

If convicted of spying Kovacs could face a prison sentence of between two and eight years.

A verdict is not expected before the first half of next year.

Kovacs is also accused of fiscal fraud and falsification of documents leading to substantial financial losses to EP institutions.

The politician, who still keeps his post in Brussels, has consistently denied all the allegations, which were first made by the Hungarian authorities prior to the last EP elections in 2014.

His parliamentary immunity was lifted by the EP the following year.