In a recent development, Hungarian intelligence services have conducted multiple interviews with Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, the CEO of BAC Consulting, a Budapest-based company associated with the recent deadly explosions of pagers used by Hezbollah members. The Hungarian government's international press office released this information on September 21, 2024, highlighting the ongoing investigation that began three days earlier.
The incident in question occurred on September 17 and 18, 2024, when pagers and walkie-talkies utilized by Hezbollah members unexpectedly detonated. These explosions resulted in 39 fatalities and left over 3,000 individuals injured. The attacks are widely believed to have been orchestrated by Israel, although no official confirmation or denial has been issued.
Barsony-Arcidiacono, a 49-year-old Italian-Hungarian national, stated to NBC News that her company did not manufacture the pagers, asserting that BAC Consulting acted solely as an intermediary. This claim aligns with the Hungarian government's statement that BAC Consulting operates as a trading-intermediary company without any manufacturing facilities in Hungary.
The Constitution Protection Office (AH), one of Hungary's intelligence agencies established in 1990 after the fall of communism, is spearheading the investigation. The AH reiterated the government's position that the pager devices used in the mass detonations were never physically present in Hungary.
Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese pager firm, disclosed on September 18 that the model of pagers involved in the Lebanon explosions were produced by BAC Consulting. The company clarified that it had only licensed its brand to BAC Consulting and was not involved in the devices' production. This revelation highlights the complex nature of international electronics manufacturing and distribution.
It's worth noting that pagers, invented in the 1950s, gained widespread popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. The first commercial pager system was launched in New York City in 1962, with two-way pagers introduced in 1995. These devices operate on radio frequency signals and typically cover a wider area than cell phones, making them potentially attractive for certain organizations.
Hezbollah, the target of these attacks, is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Founded in 1985 during the Lebanese Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States. Lebanon, with a population of approximately 5.5 million people as of 2024, shares borders with Syria and Israel, both of which have been involved in conflicts with Hezbollah.
The investigation into BAC Consulting's role in this incident is ongoing, with Hungarian authorities working to uncover the extent of the company's involvement. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this event will impact international relations and security measures in the region.
"BAC Consulting is a trading-intermediary company, which has no manufacturing or other site of operation in Hungary."
This incident serves as a reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and the potential for technology to be weaponized in unexpected ways. As the investigation continues, it may shed light on the intricate networks of international trade and the challenges of monitoring the end-use of seemingly innocuous devices.