Director of the Szőlő Street juvenile detention centre under arrest

Hungarian prosecutors have ordered the arrest of Károly Kovács-Buna, the former acting director of the Szőlő Street juvenile correctional institute in Budapest, as a widening investigation uncovers multiple allegations of violence, misconduct, and cover-ups within the institution.

Former director of the institute under arrest

According to Blikk, Kovács-Buna, who resigned on Monday citing intense psychological pressure and what he called a “smear campaign”, appeared in several recently disclosed videos in which he can be seen kicking a child lying on the ground. His detention was confirmed following days of escalating prosecutorial action targeting former staff members.

According to the Central Chief Prosecutor’s Office, three additional suspects were questioned this week, with the authorities seeking pre-trial detention for all of them. The latest arrest brings the total number of suspects in the case to seven, including several already held since earlier stages of the investigation.

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A systemic pattern of abuse

The probe into the Szőlő Street facility intensified after a large-scale police action on Tuesday, during which multiple staff members were detained. By Wednesday, the number of individuals formally implicated rose to seven, including security personnel, administrative staff, and educators.

Among those already behind bars is Péter Pál Juhász, the institute’s former director. He was arrested in May after months of covert investigation and now faces charges including human trafficking, forced labour, abuse of official position, weapons offences, and money laundering involving hundreds of millions of forints. His partner is also in custody on suspicion of human trafficking and forced labour.

A former administrative clerk is under house arrest for allegedly helping to destroy potential evidence by removing furniture from Juhász’s office to conceal traces linked to suspected sexual crimes. Prosecutors say she acted knowingly and had long-standing ties to the former director.

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Violence with window handles

Two former security officers are among the latest suspects. Both allegedly beat minors using window handles, inflicting injuries on several detained youths. A third man, who has worked in child education for fifteen years, is also accused of taking part in the assaults and of assisting Juhász through fictitious employment arrangements linked to the human trafficking scheme.

Prosecutors classify the alleged attacks as abuse by a public official and endangering a minor, crimes punishable by up to five years in prison. In cases where violence was reportedly used to intimidate detainees into silence, charges of malicious bodily harm may also apply.

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Risk of interference

Investigators argue that releasing the suspects would endanger the integrity of the case, raising concerns that they might tamper with evidence or continue criminal activity. As a result, the prosecution has requested the strictest form of pre-trial detention for all three suspects apprehended this week, including Kovács-Buna. A judge is expected to rule on their detention shortly.