He said he had given him the “request, or, if you like, the order” that the police should use all legal means to protect law and order, public safety and public buildings, including the TV headquarters. “In a difficult situation this is a prime minister’s duty,” he insisted.

Gyurcsány said he did not give any orders to police other than the one to preserve law and order. He said Szabadfi told him early morning the next day that police had been unable to protect the TV headquarters.

Still that morning the national security cabinet held a meeting where police leaders asked the prime minister to secure funds for paying overtime in the police force, an emergency centre, technical equipment and protective gear, he said.

Gyurcsány said that the secret services had not given prior warning of the events, they only reconstructed them on Sept. 19.

To the question why police was unable to secure the TV headquarders Gyurcsány responded that an independent committee headed by Katalin Gönczöl was in charge of investigating the events.

The presiding judge noted that some had raised doubts over the independence of members of the Gönczöl committee, which included state employees.

Gyurcsány said he believed in the separation of state service and party affiliation. Asked why there was a lack of accountability after press reports of excesses by police who were not wearing ID badges, Gyurcsány said the Gönczöl committee had established there were professional failings which were not necessarily of a criminal nature.

He added that he had agreed with the need for police to wear IDs while on duty. He also added that he had fired the national police chief in May 2007 and initiated the dismissal of the Budapest police chief as well.

Gyurcsány said police were better prepared to deal with the riots on Oct 23, 2006 and that Fidesz officials were forewarned about potential safety risks linked to their rally planned at the Astoria junction for that day.

The judge said Fidesz leaders had claimed they were not warned.

Gyurcsány denied the proposition made by a witness that a member of his government had organised football fans to come to the TV headquarters during its attack.

He added however that there were reports of then opposition politicians being actively involved in the organisation and preparation of the events.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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MTI photo: Bruzák Noémi