Hungary: 'Critics silenced' in social media arrests as EU debates Orban's powers | Euronews
Opposition politicians in Hungary are alarmed by a spate of detentions for alleged scaremongering on social media about the coronavirus pandemic.
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They fear that voices critical of the government are being silenced and accuse Prime Minister Viktor Orban of abusing special powers granted to him in March.
At least three people have been arrested at their homes and questioned for several hours over social media posts.
Police have said they are investigating 86 cases under emergency legislation adopted on March 30 for allegedly publishing "false information". "Police are continuously monitoring the internet," a statement said.
The new measure widens a pre-existing offence, giving the authorities powers to clamp down on "alarmist comments".
