A woman was allegedly pinned against a wall and strangled by her former partner in broad daylight near Budapest’s Lehel Square, according to a social media account shared by actor and women’s right activist Áron Molnár. Two women reportedly intervened to help the victim, who was allegedly being forcibly kissed and threatened.
Woman strangled in broad daylight in Budapest as witnesses intervene
The incident is said to have happened on 14 August at the Bulcsú Street exit of the Lehel Square metro station. According to the account published by Eszter Spira and subsequently shared by Molnár, the alleged attacker grabbed the woman by the neck, pressed her against a wall and attempted to kiss her against her will.
Most passers-by reportedly continued walking, but Spira and another woman stepped in after seeing what was happening.
Two bystanders reportedly helped the woman escape
According to Spira’s account, the two women approached the victim, took hold of her hands and urged her to come with them. The man allegedly shouted that the incident was a “family matter”. After the woman managed to get away from him, he reportedly threatened to kill the two women who had intervened.
The women then shouted for help. The alleged attacker reportedly backed off, allowing them and the victim to flee towards the entrance of Lehel Market, where they contacted Budapest police. Spira said the victim told her that the man was her former partner and that she had experienced months of abuse at his hands. A 60-day restraining order was reportedly already in force against him.
The victim also allegedly said that the man had continued to harass and threaten her after their relationship ended. According to the account, he attacked her outside her workplace on the day of the incident and then forcibly took her towards the metro station.
Alleged attacker was released by Budapest police
Spira said officers arrested the man at the scene and took both the victim and witnesses to Budapest’s 13th District Police Headquarters. However, she claims that after around four hours of waiting, they were told that neither the victim nor the witnesses would be questioned that day and that the man would be released.
The account also alleges that attempts were made to obtain urgent assistance from organisations supporting women who have experienced violence, including emergency accommodation, protection and legal help, but that no immediate solution was found. These claims have been made in social media posts; the information provided for this article does not include a police statement or an independent account of the investigation.
Activist calls for tougher protection for women
Molnár, who shared Spira’s account on Facebook, described the events as “unfathomable” and questioned why authorities were allegedly unable to provide stronger protection in such a case. He argued that women and children should be protected by the strictest possible laws and called for tougher action against relationship and domestic violence.
Molnár also cited figures in his post claiming that a woman dies every day as a result of relationship violence and that only a fraction of cases are reported and lead to proceedings. The post did not provide a source for those figures, so they cannot be independently verified from the information available.
“I’m angry at the helplessness,” Molnár wrote, arguing that the current political moment should be used to introduce stronger measures to protect women, especially because the incident in Budapest has showed again how victims of domestic violence are protected when a restraining order is already in place, and about what safeguards are available immediately after a reported attack.
If you or someone you know might be in danger, you can reach out for the Women For Women Together Against Violence Association (NANE) Association’s helpline for abused women and children toll-free at +36-80-505-101 (Mon., Wed., Fri.: 6:00 PM–10:00 PM, Tues.: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, Wed.: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM). You can find further information about the association’s support services on their website. From abroad, the association’s helpline can be reached at +36-1-267-4900.
