Police Propose Indicting Karate Master in Hungary for Brutally Kicking 5-Year-Old

  • 26 Aug 2024 10:53 AM
  • Hungary Around the Clock
Police Propose Indicting Karate Master in Hungary for Brutally Kicking 5-Year-Old
Police have ended an investigation into the matter of a karate coach who was caught on camera as he brutally kicked and tripped a five-year-old child entrusted to him in a Szolnok park earlier this summer.

Szolnok police on Friday proposed the indictment of the 56-year-old coach.

The suspect was questioned on July 29 for endangering a minor and was also accused of attempted grave bodily assault.

Police are investigating separately as to whether the karate coach had hurt others.

After the recording of the incident by security cameras was made public in the middle of July, it emerged that the man was a coach at the Yakuzák sports club.

He has since resigned his position, while the national karate association has banned him from working as a coach and stripped him of his title of master coach.

The man admitted to his act during his questioning but has yet to apologise to the child personally, although earlier he promised to do so.

The suspect was a recipient of a life’s work award from Katalin Novák when she was the head of state. The Culture and Innovation Ministry has since called on him to return his decoration.

He has said he is sorry to have lost the trust of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Martial Arts Scandal: Master Of Karate in Hungary Kicked Kid for Not Climbing Wall

The Hungarian Karate Federation has issued a statement announcing disciplinary proceedings against a karate master who recently injured a boy at a theme park in Szolnok, central Hungary. The master reportedly kicked the boy forcefully after he refused to scale a climbing wall.

The federation has launched disciplinary and ethical proceedings against the master and banned him from doing karate while the disciplinary action is in process. Szolnok police have also launched an investigation on suspicion of hooliganism.

The suspect was president of the Yakuzák Sports Association in Jászberény, central Hungary, but resigned from the post on Wednesday. Former World and European Thai boxing champion Tivadar Kunkli meanwhile challenged him to a fight.

Interior Ministry state secretary Bence Rétvári said “it is unacceptable and outrageous what can be seen in the video recorded at the Szolnok adventure park,” speaking to state news agency MTI on Thursday.

“Children must be protected everywhere. We shall act the strictest way against those who hurt children. There is no excuse, no mercy to the person who hurts children,” Rétvári said.

“Speedy and firm punishment is needed in such cases as the security of children matters is paramount. Through the stringent measures of the Child Protection Act there is a way to mete out more severe punishment,” he added.

Short video available here

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