CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL

FOR · Foreign Relations

Made contacts regarding client's situation in Hungary. In 2016 and 2017, Hungarian authorities conducted raids on the Church in Budapest and seized tens of thousands of internal religious files, including confidential pastoral and priest-penitent records that are sacred to the practice of the religion. These seizures were carried out under the pretext of data protection violations, including alleged criminal abuse of data. After an eight-year criminal investigation, however, Hungarian authorities formally dismissed the case in September 2025, finding no wrongdoing. In January 2026, a Hungarian court authorized the government agency to dispose of the evidence, effectively permitting the destruction of these sacred religious materials, even though the files have been found to be compliant with European legal norms that are also valid in Hungary. Once destroyed, these materials cannot be replaced, and the harm to religious freedom will be permanent and irreversible. The Hungarian Supreme Court has refused to take up the Church's petition, leaving the order in force. The Data Protection Authority has denied the request of individual Scientologists for the return of their files and asserts that their religious freedom claims are not relevant, on the grounds that their rights are only indirectly affected. This reflects a profound disregard for religious freedom. The Hungarian government should stop the harassment and return the priest-penitent files.