Hungarian CEO Under Threat After Pager Explosions in Lebanon
Cristiana Barsoni Arcidiaconu, the CEO of the Hungarian company ABC, is currently under the protection of Hungarian intelligence following threats she received after pagers sold by her company exploded in Lebanon. The bombings, which occurred recently, resulted in the tragic deaths of 37 individuals and left over 3,250 injured, including women and children. The devices, linked to Hezbollah, have raised serious concerns about their use and the implications for international relations.
Cristiana's mother, Beatrix Barsoni Arcidiacono, revealed to the Associated Press that her daughter was moved to a secure location after the bombings and advised by authorities not to speak publicly. Beatrix emphasized that Cristiana had no involvement in the explosions and was merely an intermediary in the sale of the pagers, which were neither manufactured in Hungary nor passed through the country.
Background on Cristiana's Career and Skills
At 49 years old, Cristiana is a highly educated individual, holding a PhD in particle physics from University College London. She is multilingual, speaking seven languages, and has a diverse career that includes humanitarian work across Africa and Europe. Despite her impressive qualifications, acquaintances describe her career as inconsistent, with numerous short-term positions that left her searching for stable employment.
Reports have emerged indicating that Cristiana was involved in supplying explosive communications devices to Lebanon while working as a collaborating expert at the European Commission between 2021 and 2023. She has admitted to her role at the Hungarian company ABC, clarifying that she was merely an intermediary in the transactions. The fallout from the explosions has led to increased scrutiny of her professional background, including her past work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and claims of involvement with various organizations that have since been disputed.
The situation continues to evolve as authorities investigate the implications of the device sales and their connection to the recent violence in Lebanon.
