The Hungarian government is releasing thousands of foreign prisoners who are currently serving sentences for people smuggling. The only condition is that they leave Hungary within 72 hours. Reason: The reception of foreign offenders is too expensive.
Surprisingly, according to a recent decree issued by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban late last month, human traffickers were released without being required to serve the rest of their sentences in their home country.
TV report showed freed smugglers
A hidden camera report broadcast by the private TV channel RTL-Klub on Thursday evening showed five people getting out of a minibus belonging to the local correctional facility at Szombathely railway station in western Hungary. When questioned by the broadcaster, the Hungarian Ministry of the Interior did not deny that the people shown were human traffickers.
Punishments up to 20 years, but prison is too expensive
Hungarian criminal law even provides for long prison sentences for people smuggling, with sentences ranging from two to 20 years. Hungary is located on the so-called Balkan route, which is used by people seeking protection to travel from Turkey to Western Europe. Chancery Minister Gergely Gulyas justified this move by saying that foreign criminals are too expensive. According to official figures, 2,600 foreigners are currently being held in Hungary, the vast majority for smuggling.
The news portal “hvg.hu” reported that many Romanian, Bulgarian and Serbian smugglers had left for Austria or other Western countries after their release from prison.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
