edperrin

Editor in chief @FbdnStories ; Investigative Reporter; @ICIJ Member; Fellow'16 @UMknightwallace; #luxleaks#panamapapers et al

[edperrin @edperrin]

@EDA_DFAE

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🇦🇫🎙️ « Ces vi*ls et ces vidéos, c’est une manière de nous faire taire ».

👉 Militante pour les droits des femmes et invitée régulière des radios afghanes, M. a été arrêtée à Kaboul en 2025 au prétexte d’un hijab mal ajusté. Détenue par la police des mœurs talibane, elle a subi des violences sexuelles et des menaces de diffusion d’images pour la réduire au silence.

Aujourd’hui en exil, elle témoigne auprès de Forbidden Stories sous anonymat. 1/6

[Szabolcs Panyi @panyiszabolcs]

💥Heroes’ Square in Budapest is hosting the “anti-regime grand concert,” with tens of thousands bracing for the end of Viktor Orbán’s rule on Sunday. Chants of “Russians go home” are heard, while performers mock Orbán and Péter Szijjártó as servants of Vladimir Putin. 📸@444hu

[edperrin @edperrin]

Last instalment of our #PropagandaMachine serie

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🔴 🇷🇺#PropagandaMachine 6 - Ghost Journalists, Cash and Kremlin Scripts: How Russian Operatives Tried To Influence Argentinian Media

➡️ Thanks to an unprecedented data leak obtained by @thecontinent_, today, we are able to reveal that “The Company”, a network run by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, reportedly spent around $280,000 commissioning roughly 250 articles in over 20 Argentinian media outlets. Our consortium identified at least four fake bylines as authors of these articles.

👉 Along with @openDemocracy, and @Filtra_Leaks, we contacted all media outlets cited in the internal documents as having published articles for “The Company.” All 15 interviewed by the consortium denied receiving payments from Russian agents.

🌍 This article is the final installment of our investigative series #PropagandaMachine, exposing Russian disinformation strategies across three continents.

📰 Read our latest investigation on our website: https://t.co/nsaPt3q9NS

@thecontinent_
@dossier_center
@openDemocracy
@istories_media
@aeowinpact

#Russia #Propaganda #Journalism #ForbiddenStories

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🔴 27.03.2026 - Orbán’s Inversion: The Spied-On Journalist Branded a Spy

Forbidden Stories stands in full support of investigative journalist @panyiszabolcs, with whom we have worked on multiple cross-border investigations, including the #Pegasus Project.

Panyi is a journalist who was himself targeted with the Pegasus spyware—and is now being accused of “espionage” by the Hungarian government. This reversal is as troubling as it is revealing.

These accusations come just weeks before national elections and follow his reporting, including with VSquare, on Russian influence operations and the proximity between Hungarian authorities and Moscow . His work serves the public interest. It is precisely why it is being attacked.

Turning a journalist into a suspect is a well-worn tactic: when facts are inconvenient, discredit the messenger.

We stand firmly with Szabolcs Panyi.
-
@laurentrichard0
Journalist
Founder & Executive Director
Forbidden Stories

[edperrin @edperrin]

@cusackandrew Well, I really hope that the ongoing trilogy from Jean-Luc Barré will indeed be translated. (Nb: so far 2 out of 3 books published "L'homme de personne" and "Le premier des Français").

[edperrin @edperrin]

"Accusing investigative journalists of espionage is virtually unprecedented in the 21st century for an EU member state. This is typical of Putin’s Russia, Belarus, and similar regimes."

[Szabolcs Panyi @panyiszabolcs]

‼️Statement on the Orbán Government Accusing Me, an Investigative Journalist, of Espionage‼️

Today, the Hungarian government has filed a complaint against me for espionage. Accusing investigative journalists of espionage is virtually unprecedented in the 21st century for an EU member state. This is typical of Putin’s Russia, Belarus, and similar regimes.

I have spent over a decade documenting how Russian spies and interests have penetrated Hungarian politics, so I am probably the least surprised by this.

Despite growing signs that the Hungarian government acts as a Kremlin ally and copies the Russian model, I still trust that parts of the Hungarian state—and the judiciary—follow the Hungarian constitution, not that of the Russian Federation.

I have never engaged in espionage. I see my work as journalistic counterintelligence—from exposing the hacking of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry by Russian actors to revealing the activities of Hungarian pro-Kremlin propagandists.

Defending myself publicly would be easier if I were not bound by source protection. But that remains my top priority. I cannot reveal who provides me information or what I receive, including from within Hungarian state structures.

If I were not a journalist, I could list many facts proving it is impossible for the Hungarian state to genuinely believe I am spying. Certain meetings, contacts, and information gathering could never have happened otherwise.

This baseless accusation now forces me to share details of a specific investigation, including a conversation with a confidential source that appears to have been wiretapped. Normally, this would appear in a finished article or my upcoming book—not here. (It will appear there as well.)

Since 2023, I have investigated whether the relationship between Péter Szijjártó and Russian officials exceeds legal limits. The published audio, where I’m heard talking to a source, mentions that communication between Szijjártó and Sergey Lavrov is recorded by EU intelligence services. Less attention has gone to my point that this relationship raises strong suspicion of political intelligence activity and influence operations in Russia’s interest.

These are serious claims and hard to prove. As a journalist, I cannot force anyone to speak or hand over documents. That is why gathering this information has taken so long—and why I spoke to that sensitive source (while the conversation was secretly recorded).

Serious claims require serious evidence, and I believe I have gathered some. I have not engaged in espionage.
I have not cooperated with any foreign intelligence service in surveilling Szijjártó. Instead, I tried to verify earlier fragments of information about Szijjártó–Lavrov communication.

I sought to identify the channels and phone numbers used, and whether a secret channel—possibly used by Russian intelligence—exists. In other words, whether Szijjártó uses a hidden device or number unknown even within the Hungarian Foreign Ministry.

This was only one part of my research. The other, more serious topic is this:

Since at least 2016–2017, EU and NATO intelligence services have had indications that large amounts of cash and precious stones may have been transported from Russia on Hungarian government aircraft or private jets used by government figures. Officials from at least six countries made such claims to me.

These signals did not come from monitoring Hungarian targets, but, for example, from intercepting Russian officials discussing or preparing such shipments.

Alongside Szijjártó–Lavrov communication, I examined how baggage screening and handling works on such flights, which officials travel with what luggage, whether more packages arrive from Moscow than depart, and how such shipments could be handled discreetly.

I know how serious this is, and I would not have written even this much—but since I do not know what else may be taken from the edited recording, or what fabricated accusations (like, for example, that I was seeking such details to commit terrorism) may follow, I believe I must share this now.

Why do I investigate all this?

According to many sources familiar with the Hungarian state and counterintelligence, there is no independent body in the Orbán system able to investigate or act if a senior official is suspected of espionage.

Government members direct intelligence services and set expectations. The services lack both tools and authority to investigate a government member.

I knew this would be difficult when I chose to pursue it. But few people in Hungary can or dare to do this, so I felt it was my duty.

We have now reached the point where the Orbán government—of which Szijjártó is still a member—aware of my reporting plans and the risk they pose, has preemptively accused me of espionage.

I am a Hungarian patriot. I serve the public. As an investigative journalist, my job is to hold power accountable. Neither political theater nor legal threats will deter me.

[Szabolcs Panyi @panyiszabolcs]

I want to apologize to my followers that my feed is full of @buymeacoffee posts. There is an ongoing Orbán government–style, Russia-inspired smear campaign against me, aimed at discrediting my not even yet published story on the details of FM Péter Szijjártó’s leaks and communication with Sergey Lavrov.

The result is thousands of people showing their support and appreciation for my work, boosting my visibility like never before. The best advertisement one can get for my upcoming book on how Putin’s spies infiltrated Hungary and its political elite. Yes, that book is due in 2026.

And there are some great memes too—thanks to the anonymous author!

[edperrin @edperrin]

On this subject: our dear British friends have been calling their ships "Man Of War" for centuries, yet granted them a very unusual feminine gender all ther while. Go figure... https://t.co/80IVrrn6Kc

[edperrin @edperrin]

No doubt: it is "LA" Jeanne d'Arc

[edperrin @edperrin]

No doubt: it is "LA" Jeanne d'Arc

[Gérard Araud @GerardAraud]

No doubt : it is “Le”. Le Normandie…

[Un mec qui fait des trucs en Afrique... @UnMecEnAfrique]

🤔 Beau nom et bel hommage.
À une période de confusionnisme total, cela rappelle au moins qu'il y a 85 ans, des gens d'opinions et de couleurs différentes ont eu le courage de se lever pour défendre en armes une idée, et lutter ensemble contre l'obscurantisme et la haine... 🙂
.

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🔴🇷🇺 [New revelations] Sixty Russian agents identified: Prigozhin’s influence network taken over by the Foreign Intelligence Service.

#PropagandaMachine

[edperrin @edperrin]

Episode 2 of our Propaganda Machine investigation is out, with our partners @thecontinent_ @dossier_center @istories_media @openDemocracy https://t.co/DZXgc1C639

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🔴🇷🇺#Propaganda Machine: Secret documents reveal Russia’s foreign influence strategy across three continents.
@thecontinent_ | @dossier_center | @openDemocracy | @istories_media | @aeowinpact

🧵 1/4

[edperrin @edperrin]

Stay tuned.

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🔴 #PropagandaMachine: An unprecedented data leak shared by our partner The Continent has helped us uncover new findings on Russian influence operations.Tomorrow, Forbidden Stories will reveal more.

🔗 Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest revelations directly in your inbox: https://t.co/PDFppKzRN6

@thecontinent_ @dossier_center @openDemocracy @istories_media @aeowinpact

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🗞️ À vos kiosques ! @SocietyOfficiel

[edperrin @edperrin]

What a year! We'll keep at it in 2026. Please help us doing so!

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🔴 Targeting the press? They’re targeting YOU.

In 2025, we told stories some hoped you’d never hear. When enemies of the press k*ll, threaten, or detain journalists, they assume their stories will disappear with them.

But when they target journalists, they’re targeting democracy itself. And with your support, we can prove them wrong — again and again.

Spread this video and donate today to ensure we can continue pursuing the investigations of silenced journalists: https://t.co/i8dI8TjCwS

[edperrin @edperrin]

10 enquêtes interdites. 100 pages. Un hors-série concocté en partenariat avec Society. Parution le 11 décembre prochain, en précommande dès maintenant!

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🔴La couverture de notre hors-série exceptionnel vient de sortir !

Ce numéro spécial de 100 pages, à paraître le 11 décembre prochain, sera consacré à 8 ans de ces enquêtes que certains auraient préféré ne jamais voir publiées.

De la désinformation russe en Centrafrique au ciblage de journalistes à Gaza par l'armée israélienne ; des crimes environnementaux au Guatemala aux gangs en Haïti ; des centres de tortures russes secrets en Ukraine et en Russie jusqu'aux révélations sur le logiciel espion Pegasus, ce hors-série donne vie à des récits puissants, menés au péril de la vie des journalistes qui les ont initiés.

🔗 Pour pré-commander ce hors-série et soutenir notre campagne : https://t.co/SfZJqpzOES

@SocietyOfficiel

[edperrin @edperrin]

Our lastest investigation

[Forbidden Stories @FbdnStories]

🇬🇭 #GreenCrimes: NEW INVESTIGATIONS — GHANA 🔴

On Oct. 20, 2024, while filming at an illegal gold mine located in a forest reserve, Ghanaian journalist @erastus4lif and his crew were beaten by a group of heavily armed men, who forced them to delete their footage. 🧵 1/7

[Phil Stewart @phildstewart]

As of today, America no longer has a resident press corps at the Pentagon. Here is the statement from the Pentagon Press Association. Please read and share.