Hungarian Company BAC Consulting Linked to Deadly Pagers in Lebanon and Syria Explosions

In a quiet Budapest neighbourhood, the headquarters of BAC Consulting is located in a duplex. This company is linked to the production of pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria, allegedly as part of an Israeli operation against Hezbollah. On Wednesday, journalists from the Associated Press observed multiple company names, including BAC, taped on a window of the building.

The Lebanese government and Hezbollah blamed Israel for Tuesday's coordinated attack that killed at least 12 people, including two children, and injured around 2,800. More explosions occurred on Wednesday when walkie-talkies and solar equipment detonated across Lebanon. The Health Ministry reported at least nine deaths and over 300 injuries from these subsequent attacks.

Company Operations and Connections

BAC Consulting shares its Budapest location with other businesses. According to a corporate registry, it has 118 official functions ranging from sugar production to natural gas extraction. The company reportedly supplied thousands of devices used in the attacks. Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese company whose brand appears on the pagers, stated that BAC was authorised to use its trademark but was solely responsible for product design and manufacturing.

A Hungarian government spokesman clarified that the pagers were never in Hungary. BAC Consultants acted only as an intermediary without any manufacturing or operational site in the country. Zoltán Kovács posted on X that Hungarian national security services are working with international partners and confirmed no national security threat to Hungary.

Leadership and Financial Details

BAC Consulting was registered as a limited liability company in May 2022. It reported revenues of USD 725,000 in 2022 and USD 593,000 in 2023. The CEO, Cristiana Bársony-Arcidiacono, describes herself as a strategic adviser with a doctorate. Her LinkedIn profile lists her as a physicist and consultant for environmental and political projects.

The AP attempted to contact Bársony-Arcidiacono via email and social media but received no response. Her connection to the attacks remains unclear. She co-authored a paper for a UNESCO conference on water management in 2022 and claims to advise major international organisations like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and CARE.

Background and Expertise

The IAEA confirmed Cristiana Arcidiacino interned there for nine months between 2008 and 2009. Other affiliations could not be verified immediately. An online expert site features her saying: "A good understanding of local issues and a network of collaborators in various areas are important to succeed."

BAC Consulting's website described its expertise in "environment, development and international affairs" before it became unavailable on Wednesday. Phone calls to BAC went unanswered. A woman at the Budapest building said it serves as an address provider for companies but declined to give her name.

Social media accounts suggest Bársony-Arcidiacono studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science and the School of Oriental and African Studies. She has published scientific papers on topics like water ionisation and climate change. Her Instagram account features photos from places such as Sicily, Budapest, Paris, and Africa.