The European Commission said on Thursday the Hungarian “sovereignty law” that entered into force in February violated EU rules on privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of association. People and organisations deemed a threat to national sovereignty in Hungary — a loosely defined concept — and who are accused of using foreign funding to influence political processes are facing fines and prison terms.

The EU said Thursday it was referring Hungary to the European Court of Justice over laws passed by Budapest to curb foreign influence in the country, which critics say aim to silence government opponents.