The Hungarian government has called on the European Union to impose human rights sanctions on Ukrainian officials allegedly responsible for the death of József Sebestyén, a Hungarian citizen. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made the announcement on Monday, July 15.
The case has provoked strong reactions in Budapest. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó condemned the EU’s response to the incident, describing it as “unacceptable.”
“Shocking how Brussels & European leaders turn a blind eye to Ukraine’s inhuman forced conscription. Where are the NGOs, the human rights activists, the so-called independent media? A Hungarian man was beaten to death for refusing to go to war. Unacceptable and must be addressed.” Szijjártó said.
Sebestyén, an entrepreneur, reportedly died after being taken by Ukrainian recruiters. According to his brother, he was “beaten with iron rods in a forest.”
The story first appeared in the Hungarian press last week and has fuelled growing criticism in Hungary over Ukraine’s wartime mobilisation tactics.
