European Parliament's Immunity Decision Sparks Outrage Over Budapest Assault Case

Budapest, Hungary – A recent decision by the European Parliament to grant immunity to Ilaria Salis, an Italian national accused of violent assaults in Budapest, has ignited a heated debate among Hungarian political commentators. The decision, which effectively shields Salis from Hungarian prosecution, was a central topic of discussion on the 'Nyílt Sisak' program, featuring prominent figures who voiced strong criticism. Speakers on the program expressed profound concern over the European Parliament's stance, arguing that it sends a troubling message about the rule of law within the European Union. "The European institutions are currently giving safe conduct for someone accused of beating people half to death in a member state's capital," stated one commentator, highlighting the gravity of the alleged crimes. Another panelist emphasized the lack of transparency surrounding the incident, questioning, "Who are these people? What were their funding sources? What was their motivation for coming to Budapest?" The discussion underscored a perceived failure of European bodies to support national justice systems in serious criminal investigations. Critics pointed out that the Hungarian Interior Ministry has not reported receiving any investigative assistance from Western European law enforcement agencies regarding the incidents. The commentators called for a thorough investigation to ascertain the full facts of the case, rather than allowing immunity to obstruct justice. They stressed that the core issue is not just about Ilaria Salis, but about ensuring accountability for violent acts and understanding the broader context of such events in a European capital.