A court of first instance has ruled that the 30-year-old hospital orderly need not be kept behind bars, despite multiple proceedings having been brought against him. Zsolt S., the Budapest cannibal, drew international attention yesterday when it emerged that police had seized human body parts from his home, some of which he had reportedly consumed, including raw human heart. Colleagues, friends and his workplace have been left stunned by the acts of the so-called Budapest cannibal, even though he had openly spoken of his fascination with human remains and pathology.
He reportedly told several people how much he enjoyed performing dissections
Zsolt S. had been living an unremarkable life as an orderly at the Budai Irgalmasrendi Hospital until 17 June, when, upon leaving his girlfriend’s home, he found himself surrounded by plain-clothes officers, who handcuffed him and took him in for questioning. Simultaneously, searches were carried out at his properties, where numerous human remains were discovered. Reports indicate the police found human bones, a preserved human face, facial skin, an entire lower leg, a brain, a hand, skulls, other bones, and even a heart stored in a jar. Blikk wrote that he tasted parts of the raw heart.
According to his own statement, the 30-year-old man had prepared and tasted certain human body parts. He had also told friends of his deep interest in pathology and his habit of dissecting animals in his spare time. Those who heard these remarks found them peculiar, but no action followed. His arrest on 17 June was ultimately triggered by a report, although the police have not disclosed who made it.
Budapest cannibal at liberty
More startling still is that, following his arrest, the court released him. He is currently staying with his mother in a small village in Borsod county. The prosecution has appealed the decision, and a second-instance court may yet order his detention. Prosecutors note that he has previously been convicted on several occasions for violent offences, for which he has received community service and financial penalties. The appellate court will now decide the matter.
The man known as the Budapest cannibal claims he obtained the remains by stealing from abandoned cemeteries and from Farkasréti Cemetery, exhuming bodies to acquire body parts and bones. In a statement issued yesterday, the Budai Irgalmasrendi Hospital denied that he could have obtained human remains from the institution, noting that it has no pathology department and that the suspect had no access to such materials. An internal investigation may clarify the facts.
For now, Zsolt S. is required only to wear an electronic tag and prepare for his court appearance.
Check out our previous article about the shocking story with photos and video.
Blikk has reported that, in the event of his death, he has offered his body to Semmelweis University for scientific purposes, stipulating that even his relatives need not be informed of where his remains are ultimately cremated.
Only one circumstance permits cannibalism in Hungary
In Hungary, both the possession of human body parts in a private home and acts of cannibalism constitute serious criminal offences. If committed by a healthcare worker, the offence is considered aggravated and punishable by one to five years’ imprisonment.
Even if a person were to consent to having a body part removed and eaten by another, such consent is not recognised as valid under the law. The perpetrator would be liable, among other charges, for grievous bodily harm or attempted homicide. Hungarian law permits cannibalism only in cases of immediate threat to life, such as on a deserted island.
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