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1/ On the nomination of former Hungarian Minister of Justice Laszlo Trocsanyi for EU commissioner. Thread. Hungary’s main opposition party called for his removal from the EP list after we revealed how he helped two Russian arms dealers escape justice.https://hungarytoday.hu/socialists-call-on-fidesz-to-remove-trocsanyi-from-ep-list/ …
2/ In late 2016, arms dealers Vladimir Lyubishin Sr.&Jr. were arrested in a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Budapest. Similar to Viktor Bout's case, the DEA used confidential sources posing as Mexican drug dealers to create a solid legal case.https://www.direkt36.hu/en/ket-orosz-fegyverkereskedot-csaltak-torbe-magyarorszagon-amerikai-ugynokok-de-az-orban-kormany-moszkvanak-adta-oket/ …
3/ Lyubishin and his son showed willingness to supply the drug cartel with weapons, even with anti-aircraft missiles to shoot down U.S. helicopters. During the secret sting operation, U.S. and Hungarian law enforcement were fully cooperating. The problem came after the arrest.
4/ Since Bout’s famous case 10yrs ago, Russia does everything to prevent his citizens’ extradition to the U.S. In this case, Russia created fake investigations & simply copypasted the U.S. extradition request. With two competing requests, it was up to Laszlo Trocsanyi to decide.
5/ Here is in detail how Russian authorities faked their investigation to create legal basis for an extradition request. Even the Hungarian prosecutor’s office was in favor of the U.S. request. Nevertheless, Trocsanyi extradited the Lyubishins to Russia.https://www.direkt36.hu/en/tobb-sebbol-verzett-az-oroszok-kiadatasi-kerelme-amivel-elhappoltak-az-usa-elol-a-magyarorszagon-elfogott-fegyverkereskedoket/ …
6/ Before the decision, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions tried to call Trocsanyi multiple times. Trocsanyi refused to talk about the Lyubishins. Later, @StateDept stated they are disappointed with the decision, which made the world less safe.https://hu.usembassy.gov/hungary-lyubishin-extradition/ …
7/ “It is unclear whether they will face trial”, @StateDept commented on the Russian arms dealers’ extradition to Moscow. They did not. Lyubishin Jr. was set free in February & Lyubishin Sr. was released last week.https://www.direkt36.hu/en/szabadlabon-az-orosz-fegyverkereskedok-akiket-a-kormany-az-usa-helyett-moszkvanak-adott-ki/ …
8/ The politicial decision on not to extradite the Russian arms dealers to the U.S. very likely came from the top of Hungary’s government. Officially, however, it was Laszlo Trocsanyi who made & signed the decision. This also tells a lot about what to expect him in the future.
9/ His ministry claimed that they favored the Russian extradition request because the arms dealers are Russian citizens. Trocsanyi, however, did not react to multiple inquiries to explain his decision and later to comment on the release from prison of the Lyubishins.
10/ Final tweet: the Lyubishin case resembles the 2012 extradition of Azeri axe murderer Ramil Safarov. Back then, Hungary’s gov’t extradited the murderer of an Armenian military officer to Azerbaijan. He was instantly released & received a hero’s welcome.https://eurasianet.org/report-7-million-payment-tied-to-hungarys-extradition-of-azerbaijani-axe-murderer …
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journalist covering corruption, natsec&diplomacy for 
panyi@direkt36.hu