A pedestrian was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head in central Budapest on Friday evening. The attack, which took place near one of the city’s best-known theatres, was captured on video.

The incident happened on 18 September near the Vígszínház theatre, at a pedestrian crossing by Szent István Boulevard and Honvéd Street. According to footage shared on social media, a man was walking across the road when another man suddenly approached him from the side and brought him to the ground.

The assailant continued the attack while the pedestrian was lying on the road, striking him and kicking him several times in the head. The victim appeared to be motionless after the assault.

Police arrest young man after the attack

Police launched proceedings against a young man on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm following the assault on Szent István Boulevard late on Friday evening.

Márton Mérkőy, a press officer for the Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK), confirmed on Saturday that officers had apprehended the suspected attacker at the scene. He added that the man’s questioning was still ongoing.

In a response to Hungarian news outlet 24.hu , police stated that the suspect had been detained and that proceedings were underway on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm.

The circumstances and motive behind the assault have not yet been established. The exact extent of the pedestrian’s injuries has also not been officially confirmed.

If you missed it: Legal threats fly as PM Magyar confronts Orbán-linked billionaire over motorway deal

What do Budapest’s latest crime figures show?

The attack comes amid a broader police effort to improve public safety in Budapest. In July, the Budapest Police Headquarters launched a series of targeted checks across the capital, focusing on locations identified through crime data, residents’ reports and consultations with local authorities. During the operation’s first 30 days, officers checked the identities of more than 11,000 people and made 252 arrests.

The latest annual figures offer some wider context. According to the BRFK, the number of registered crimes in Budapest fell by 22% in 2025 compared with the previous year. Police also reported a decline in offences committed in public spaces.

Read more: Person hit by tram on one of Budapest’s busiest lines