The CEO of a company linked to the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria this week is reportedly under the protection of Hungarian secret services, according to her mother. This development comes as new details emerge about the company and its mysterious CEO.
Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono, head of Budapest-based BAC Consulting, has not been seen publicly since last Tuesday's widespread explosions that targeted Hezbollah. The attacks, widely attributed to Israel, have resulted in at least 37 deaths and over 3,000 injuries, primarily among Hezbollah members.
Bársony-Arcidiacono's mother, Beatrix, claims her daughter has received threats and is in a "safe place" protected by Hungarian authorities. Speaking from Sicily, she told The Associated Press, "[Cristiana] is not involved in any way, she was just a broker. The items did not pass through Budapest. … They were not produced in Hungary." She added that the "Hungarian secret services advised her not to talk to media."
BAC Consulting was identified by a Taiwanese firm as responsible for manufacturing the pagers used in the attack, however a Hungarian government spokesman stated the pagers were never in Hungary, with BAC Consulting acting only as an intermediary. The company's offices in Budapest appear to be little more than a mailing address.
BAC Consulting came under scrutiny after Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese firm, stated it had authorized the Hungarian company to use its name on the pagers involved in the first attack. The company's website, which claimed expertise in "environment, development, and international affairs," has been unavailable since Wednesday.
Financial records show BAC Consulting reported revenue of $725,000 in 2022 and $593,000 in 2023, with a significant portion spent on "equipment" last year. The corporate registry lists 118 official functions for the company, ranging from sugar and oil production to retail jewelry sales and natural gas extraction.
Dr. Ákos Kövér, a Hungarian physicist and now-retired professor who worked with Bársony-Arcidiacono at University College London, confirmed her enrollment and joint publications but stated he was "not aware of her other activities."
BAC Consulting shares the ground floor of a modest building in Budapest with numerous other enterprises. According to a witness who refused to be named, the company has no physical offices and uses the property only as an official address.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about BAC Consulting's role in the pager attacks and the extent of Bársony-Arcidiacono's involvement. Hungarian national security authorities have not yet commented on the situation.
The attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday, first targeting pagers and then walkie-talkies, have killed at least 37 people and wounded more than 3,000, primarily Hezbollah members. Two children have also been reported among the casualties.
The deadly attacks in Lebanon and Syria have heightened tensions in the region, with Hezbollah and the Lebanese government pointing fingers at Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.
The Times of Israel contributed to this article.