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.

Karate coach charged with assaulting a child

Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok county prosecutors have filed charges against a 56-year-old man, identified only as Tibor A., a karate coach who kicked a seven-year-old boy in an adventure park in Szolnok on July 11.

The kick caused the child to spin in mid-air and land on his head, causing injuries.

The coach mocked the boy, splashed water in his face, and ridiculed him in front of other children.

A video of the incident went viral, generating outrage across the country.

The Hungarian Karate Federation expelled the coach and revoked his black belt.

Although the culprit issued a public apology, the boy’s mother confirmed that the coach had not personally apologised and said it will not be necessary with time’s passing.

Prosecutors sought 2.5 years in prison and a 3-year ban from public office for the coach if he pleads guilty to charges of attempted grievous bodily harm with permanent disability, endangering a minor, and injuring a defenceless person.

The accused admitted to the primary offence but denied that he had committed other offences alleged by the prosecution.

The accused and his lawyer argue that the offence is only a case of assault.

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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