• Home
• Channel: Current Affairs
• On the Run: International Arrest Warrant Issued in Budapest Against Former Jobbik MEP

On the Run: International Arrest Warrant Issued in Budapest Against Former Jobbik MEP

• 15 Jun 2023 10:26 AM
• Hungary Matters

A Budapest court has issued a European and international arrest warrant against former Jobbik MEP Béla Kovács, who has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for espionage and other crimes.

 In September 2020, the court issued a first-instance verdict regarding four defendants who were accused by the prosecution of espionage against EU institutions and other crimes, the Budapest District Court said on its website on Wednesday.

Kovács was first found guilty as an accomplice for serial budget fraud and for using false documents, and was handed a suspended prison sentence of 1.5 years and a 600,000 forint (EUR 1,617) fine.

Subsequently, the appellate court changed the first-instance ruling and declared the one-time opposition politician guilty of preparing to spy against European Union institutions.

In September 2022, the sentence was further stiffened to a 5-year prison sentence and a 10-year ban from public life.

A Hungarian arrest warrant was issued in November 2022 when Kovács failed to appear to serve his sentence, and he is presumed to be abroad.

MTI Photo: Tibor Illyés

• How does this content make you feel?
• I love it
• I like it
• I dislike it

• Arrest Warrant Jobbik

XpatLoop Media Partner

Hungary Matters

Launched in January 2014, this newsletter published on week days covers 'everything you need to know about what’s going on in Hungary and beyond', according to its publisher the state media agency MTI.

Explore More Reports

“Culture Coupon” & New Budapest Amusement Park: Mayoral Candidate Vitézy Unveils Manifesto

• 22 Apr 2024 6:59 AM

Dávid Vitézy, a candidate for mayor of Budapest backed by opposition LMP and a local association, unveiled his manifesto on Friday, promising to take the running of the city away from party politicians and put it in the hands of professional managers and vowing to build thousands of units of affordable housing.



Everyone Must Act for Change in Hungary, Says Péter Magyar at Mass Demo He Called in Budapest

• 8 Apr 2024 7:13 AM

Everyone must act for change, Péter Magyar said at a demonstration he called in Budapest on Saturday. “We are the nuclear bomb, the Hungarian people,” Magyar said, adding that the solution could not just be expected from him.



Updated: Chinese Police Presence in Hungary on European Parliament Debate Agenda

• 4 Apr 2024 7:14 AM

The European Parliament (EP) will discuss "Chinese police activity in Europe" during its plenary session on April 10 in Brussels.



Budapest Republic: Capital of Hungary is a 'Republic Ruled by Budapesters', Says Mayor

• 18 Mar 2024 5:02 AM

Budapest is a republic ruled by Budapest citizens, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsoy said on Friday, marking the anniversary of the 1848-49 revolution and freedom fight.