“What is the true purpose of a proposal that would allow the government to listen in on citizens’ telephone conversations? Are we going to look for terrorists amongst ourselves or are we finally going to admit that these tragic occurrences can only be prevented through Europe-wide cooperation?” Tóbiás asked.

He added that Hungary’s counter-terrorism force was incapable of preventing or dealing with the aftermath of terrorist attacks without collaborating with European counterparts. Interior Minister Sándor Pintér announced on Thursday that the government will submit to parliament a proposal on a package of anti-terrorism measures, including amendments to the constitution and related cardinal laws.

Among other things, the bill would set up a counterterrorism information centre, make it easier for law enforcement to track the flow of money among terror suspects by monitoring their bank accounts and require telecommunications service providers to cooperate with the police and the Special Service for National Security in decrypting communications devices seized by law enforcement.

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MTI photo: Máthé Zoltán