The Hableany collided with a cruise ship on the Danube in Budapest in May 2019, killing 28 of the 35 people on board. The first-instance court sentenced the captain of the Viking Sigyn, the cruise ship, to 5.5 years in prison. The Court of Appeals ordered a retrial in January, which the prosecution appealed.

In January, the court said the judge participating in the first-instance sentencing procedure should have been recused from the trial, as they seemed to be unable to make impartial decisions.

After a trial day on June 21, 2022, the judge discussed their stance on assessing the evidence and on the evidentiary procedure with the prosecution in absence of the accused and his defence, violating the principle of the equal distribution of tasks and the requirement of impartiality, the decision said.

The decision came into force on the day it was issued, the statement said.

Meanwhile, in a civil lawsuit brought in connection with the accident, the Municipal Court awarded some 2 billion forints (EUR 4.8m) in damages to the families of the victims. The damages are to be paid by two ship companies.

MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.

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