Several European Union lawmakers have criticized the participation of a former translator for Russian President Vladimir Putin as an observer in Hungary's upcoming parliamentary elections, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Hungary's pro-Russian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, faces a serious challenge in the elections scheduled for April 12.
In a letter to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), more than 50 lawmakers said that Daria Boyarskaya's professional history “raises serious questions” about her role as an election observer.
It stresses that people who have worked closely with Putin undergo strict security checks and are considered trusted by the Russian state.
The MEPs also claim that the Hungarian government has shared sensitive information from discussions within the EU with Moscow for years, further strengthening doubts about the appointment.
According to them, Boyarskaya's position as coordinator of the observation mission is “disturbing“ as it gives her access to sensitive information and to participants in the election process.
Civil society organizations in Hungary, including “Amnesty International“ and Transparency International, said they would only cooperate with OSCE observers.
Lawmakers are demanding that Boyarskaya be immediately removed from the mission.
However, the OSCE dismissed the concerns, clarifying that she was never Putin's personal translator, but worked for the Russian Foreign Ministry and translated at meetings, including for the Russian president.