Since September 2015, when the first wave of mass migration prompted the government to pass legislation and set up a double border fence to mitigate effects on the country, a total of 4,673 procedures have been initiated. Of these cases, 3,606 resulted in indictments.

A full 80% were related to illegal border crossings, while around 13%, or 473 cases, were brought against human smugglers, Géza Fazekas said.

Key to curbing the number of cases was the July 2016 legislation confining illegal migrants caught within 8 kilometres from the border into the transit zones instead of camps throughout the country. The number of charges brought in illegal crossing cases fell dramatically afterwards, with people smuggling becoming the most common charge, he said.

The prosecutor’s office has registered a total of 56 complaints filed against police or military personnel for transgressions against migrants. Two cases ended with a fine imposed on the accused, with ten procedures still pending.

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