Hungarian media: Orbán’s security planned Dodik’s escape to Hungary

According to VSquare, “Hungarian special forces were sent to Republika Srpska with the covert aim of facilitating Dodik’s extraction.” The plan, which was meant to be disguised as a joint training exercise with Republika Srpska’s police, was never executed as Dodik had not yet received a final conviction. However, several Western governments reportedly became aware of the operation.
Bosnian Defense Minister Zukan Helez previously claimed he had information about Dodik’s escape plan. US officials, angered by Hungary’s actions, allegedly issued a warning to Hungarian special forces, according to sources close to Orbán’s government.

VSquare reports that after Dodik’s February 17 meeting with Orbán and Vucic, TEK, led by Orbán’s former chief bodyguard János Hajdu, was ordered to prepare an extraction plan. The mission would have involved Hungarian forces moving Dodik from Banja Luka to Hungary via Croatia, using the shortest route. As an alternative, he could have been smuggled through Serbia to cross the Hungarian border near Szeged.

On February 24, four operational teams and one reconnaissance unit—totaling 70 personnel, vehicles, and a mobile command center—arrived in Republika Srpska. TEK operatives in civilian clothing conducted surveillance separately from the uniformed team. Despite their presence, Hungary remained silent about the operation until February 26, hours before Dodik’s verdict.

However, the plan leaked a day earlier. Croatian authorities became aware of the scheme, and journalists alerted government officials, likely preventing its execution. According to a European security official, “Croatian authorities would have stopped it.”

VSquare noted that TEK is not authorized to operate abroad unless protecting Hungarian interests, such as rescuing hostages. To legally extract Dodik, he would likely need Hungarian citizenship, but no information confirms whether he holds such status.