Hungarian Far-Right Politician Says He's Not A Russian Spy

A Hungarian member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing the far-right Jobbik party has denied a newspaper report claiming he was suspected by Hungarian authorities of spying for Russia.

Hungarian prosecutors on May 15 said they had asked the European Parliament to lift the immunity of Bela Kovacs, after investigating him in relation to an unspecified crime.

A "Magyar Nemzet" newspaper report claimed he was suspected of spying for Russia, a charge Kovacs denied.

Kovacs has been a member of the European Parliament since 2010. He helped found the Alliance of European National Movements, which includes several radical parties from across Europe.

Kovacs is third on Jobbik's list for next week's elections for the European Parliament.

Jobbik vice president Zoltan Balczo said the aim of the allegations was to discredit the party.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP