A 21-year-old British tourist suspected of brutally attacking a pedestrian in central Budapest has told police that he remembers nothing of the incident because he had been heavily intoxicated. The 43-year-old victim was knocked unconscious in the assault on Szent István körút, while reports suggest the suspect had also chased several other people shortly beforehand.
According to information reported by Hungarian news outlet 24.hu, the suspect was visiting Hungary when the attack took place on Friday evening.
The victim suffered head injuries and was taken to hospital after losing consciousness.
British tourist says he cannot remember Budapest attack
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he could not recall what had happened because he had been heavily intoxicated. His statement represents his account to police and does not establish the circumstances of the incident.
The attack had already attracted widespread attention after video footage appeared online. As we published the video before further information emerged about the alleged attacker.
The footage shows a pedestrian crossing the road when another man suddenly pushes him to the ground. The attacker can then be seen repeatedly striking and kicking the victim while he is lying on the pavement.
Several people eventually approach the suspected attacker. An ambulance happened to be passing the scene and stopped almost immediately beside the injured man.
Witnesses said the victim appeared confused after regaining consciousness and did not know what had happened. He regained consciousness inside the ambulance and was taken to hospital with head injuries that were ultimately classified as minor.
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Suspect reportedly chased three other people
Further details suggest the assault may not have been the first confrontation involving the suspect that evening.
Citing RTL Híradó, 24.hu reported that the 21-year-old had allegedly chased three other people before attacking the pedestrian on Szent István körút.
RTL reported that the suspect was a 21-year-old English man and that the victim was a 43-year-old pedestrian.
The motive for the attack has not been established publicly.
Suspect remains at liberty during investigation
Budapest police told that the suspected attacker had been apprehended and that proceedings had been launched on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm.
The later report said the British man had been questioned as a suspect in connection with grievous bodily harm but was not placed in custody. He is therefore able to defend himself while remaining at liberty.
No court has yet ruled on the case, and the man remains a suspect at this stage.
The investigation is expected to clarify what preceded the assault, why the pedestrian was targeted and whether the reported incidents involving other people form part of the same sequence of events.
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