Foreign man dies during fatal police intervention in a Hungarian hotel
An incident in Sopron on 23 May 2025 has drawn national attention after a 59-year-old Bulgarian man died during a police operation related to suspected currency counterfeiting. The case, while still under investigation, comes amid ongoing public debate in Hungary about police conduct and the use of force in recent high-profile deaths.
The Sopron incident: Sequence of events
Police launched a criminal investigation on 22 May after reports that an unknown perpetrator had used counterfeit EUR 100 notes at several venues and with taxi drivers in downtown Sopron, police.hu reports. With the help of citizens, police identified the suspect and located him the following morning at a hotel in the city centre.
According to official police statements, when officers approached the man, he dropped counterfeit bills under the table and resisted arrest. Officers handcuffed him, but he soon became unwell. The police immediately removed the handcuffs and called emergency services. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him, but despite their efforts, the man died at the scene. The circumstances of his death are now being examined in an administrative procedure by the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Police Headquarters.
Official response and investigation
Hungarian police have emphasised that they acted promptly and according to protocol, especially in seeking medical assistance as soon as the man showed signs of distress. The ongoing investigation will determine whether all procedures were followed correctly and whether the use of force was appropriate.
Recent cases raising broader questions
The Sopron case is not isolated. In recent months, Hungary has seen several controversial deaths during or after police actions:
- Szeged, March 2025: As we reported before, a man from Kunszentmárton died in hospital weeks after a drug-related arrest in Szeged. His family alleges he was severely beaten by police, resulting in fatal injuries. Authorities maintain that he resisted arrest, force was necessary, and that medical help was called as soon as he reported feeling unwell. The Central Investigating Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the case, and protests have been organised in Szeged over concerns of police brutality.
- Zagyvarékas, December 2024: József Zsákai, a 40-year-old Romani man, died after a car chase and altercation with police, who sought to stop him for driving without a license, WMN wrote. Video evidence shows a struggle, with Zsákai shouting that he was ill before collapsing. Police claim their actions were lawful and proportionate, but the family and civil rights organisations, including the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), have demanded an independent investigation, citing concerns about excessive force and possible ethnic bias.
Read more about the Hungarian police HERE.
Read also:
Featured image: depositphotos.com