Hungarian man dies after alleged beating by Ukraine conscription officers: Orbán reacts, ambassador summoned

Ukraine war soldier Hungarian man beaten to death
A Hungarian man from Transcarpathia was allegedly beaten to death by Ukrainian conscription officers. Photo: depositphotos.com

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed his condolences to the family of a Hungarian citizen from Ukraine’s Transcarpathian region who reportedly died after being severely beaten by Ukrainian military conscription officers. The incident has prompted a strong diplomatic reaction from Budapest, including the summoning of Ukraine’s ambassador.

“I offer my sincere condolences to the family of the Hungarian man who died as a result of Ukrainian forced military conscription,” Orbán wrote on Facebook on Thursday. “We stand with you in these difficult hours.”

The case came to light through a report by Mandiner and was confirmed by the Hungarian public broadcaster Hirado.hu. According to their information, the victim was Sebestyén József, a 45-year-old ethnic Hungarian man from Transcarpathia. He allegedly succumbed to injuries in the hospital on 6 July, three weeks after the assault reportedly took place during a conscription procedure.

Hungarian authorities say the man was beaten with iron rods by Ukrainian recruitment officers. The victim’s brother is said to have reported the details of the incident.

Ukraine’s ambassador summoned to Budapest

Following Orbán’s statement, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to Budapest, Telex reports. In a statement delivered to the state news agency MTI, Levente Magyar, parliamentary state secretary at the foreign ministry, confirmed the move and said that Hungary expects answers and accountability regarding the incident.

The case adds to ongoing tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, particularly concerning the treatment of the ethnic Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia. Budapest has repeatedly voiced concerns over forced military conscription and minority rights amid Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.

Read more news about Russia’s war in Ukraine on Daily News Hungary!

UPDATE: Ukraine denies abuse after death of ethnic Hungarian soldier, Hungary demands answers

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