It is unacceptable that police officers can become victims of “brutal attacks”, the party said in a statement. Zsolt Molnár, the Socialist head of parliament’s national security committee, said the committee would look into the case at its next session and discuss ways to prevent members of “far-right militant groups” from obtaining guns.

The radical nationalist Jobbik party said it was “sad” that crimes like the one committed in Bőny can still happen in Hungary.

In a statement, the party rejected suggestions that it has any links to the suspect in the case. The opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) labelled the shooting as an act of terror.

Zsolt Gréczy, the party’s spokesman, said the far right posed a threat of terrorism in Hungary and that TEK was “incompetent” at its job of countering terrorism. The victim has been declared a hero by the police force and promoted to the ranks of lieutenant-colonel.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Krizsán Csaba