The most-reported criminal cases in Hungary this week, in brief, and what the law says about them. Everyone concerned is presumed innocent: only a final court judgment can find anyone guilty.
1. Elderly victims allegedly defrauded of hundreds of millions (Budapest, District XI)
Three suspects (aged 28, 50 and 53) allegedly obtained several hundred million forints, mainly from elderly victims, through gold buying, promises connected to property and misleading contracts – including a life-annuity contract on a flat worth HUF 145 million. Gold and valuables worth around HUF 200 million were found in the searches; the suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention. (Telex)
Legal background: fraud (Section 373 of the Hungarian Criminal Code) causing a particularly large loss carries 2 to 8 years; committed on a commercial basis or in a criminal conspiracy, the penalty is one level higher, 5 to 10 years. A victim whose ability to defend themselves is limited by age is also an aggravating circumstance. Property offences →
2. Fatal stabbing in Budapest’s District VII
On the night before 18 September, at the corner of Akácfa and Dob utca, a man was stabbed in the chest with an ornamental dagger and died of his injuries. The 40-year-old suspect is suspected of homicide and his companion of attempted grievous bodily harm; the court ordered one month of pre-trial detention for both, and one suspect has appealed. (Index)
Legal background: the basic offence of homicide carries 5 to 15 years, and aggravated forms up to life imprisonment. The first days decide whether the defence can build on heat of passion, self-defence or lack of intent. Homicide → · Custody and pre-trial detention →
3. Crystal trade in Heves county: five in pre-trial detention
According to the police, a 23-year-old man handed over “crystal” on 17 September; a total of about 38 grams of substance was seized during the investigation. Five people were taken into custody and all five have been placed in pre-trial detention on suspicion of drug trafficking. (Zsaruhírek)
Legal background: what counts is not the gross weight of the seized substance but its pure active-ingredient content. For methamphetamine, up to 0.5 grams is a small quantity and over 10 grams a significant quantity – for the latter, trafficking can carry 5 to 20 years or life imprisonment. The expert analysis is therefore decisive. Drug offences →
4. Suspect interview in a case concerning the central bank
The National Investigation Bureau questioned the former governor of the Hungarian central bank (MNB) and six other people as suspects of abuse of office; house searches were also carried out. The proceedings started on a complaint by the MNB, and the person concerned disputes the suspicion. (444)
Legal background: being questioned as a suspect is neither an indictment nor a judgment. A suspect may refuse to testify, may file a complaint against the suspicion, and should review the search records with defence counsel. What to do when questioned as a suspect →
5. Charges over the fatal crash near Nyírmihálydi
On 21 August, on main road 471, a car skidded on the wet road and collided with a minibus; two people died and several were injured. The prosecution has charged the 19-year-old driver with negligently causing a road accident resulting in a fatal mass disaster, and is seeking 2 years’ imprisonment and a 5-year driving ban. (Prosecution Service)
Legal background: in a negligent accident, the victims’ own contribution, the technical expert opinion and compensation all weigh heavily in sentencing. Road traffic offences →
6. Drunk, unlicensed and disqualified (Kaposvár)
According to the indictment, a man in his fifties, heavily drunk, without a licence and while disqualified from driving, hit a car in a shopping-centre car park and drove off; in June he drove drunk again. The prosecution is seeking a strict-regime prison sentence, a ban from public affairs and a permanent driving ban. (Zsaruhírek)
Legal background: drink-driving, leaving the scene of an accident and driving while disqualified, taken together – and for a repeat offender – can lead to an immediate prison sentence. Drink-driving →
Are you or a family member facing criminal proceedings in Hungary? Ask for a lawyer before your first interview – available day and night in English: Dr. László-Tamás Benő +36 70 379 0245. Contact →
This press review is our own summary based on public media sources; it is for information only and does not constitute legal advice.