Prosecution ends against Iranian university students expelled from Hungary

The prosecution has been terminated against the Iranian students who were expelled from Hungary in March due to the violation of quarantine rules. Furthermore, the Interior Ministry confirmed that Hungarian authorities have begun to revoke the decision of their expulsion.

On 4 March, two Iranian students were the first to be diagnosed with coronavirus in Hungary. After detecting their relationships, several students in medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry – who had been in contact with them – were under observation at St. László Hospital.

However, a few days later, a total of nineteen students were expelled from Hungary due to misbehaviour and violation of quarantine rules.

Four of the Iranians – who had not yet been deported from Hungary – can now remain in Hungary. As Hungarian news portal 444 reports, in their case, the criminal proceedings were dropped, the expulsion decision was revoked, and their passports were returned. Out of the other 15 students who had been deported from the country, 12 have already submitted requests for the cancellation of expulsion and prohibition of entry and stay; their petitions are being processed.

The epidemiological emergency officially ended on 18 June, after which proceedings against the Iranian students were terminated.

The four Iranians – who were not deported from Hungary – are still in Budapest. In the case of 11 of their fellow students who were deported to Iran, the criminal proceedings have also ceased. However, among the nineteen students, there are four more who are still being prosecuted for another “group riot”. According to the police, these four students – two boys and two girls – were “at the forefront” of the disturbances at St. László Hospital, when two Iranian students reportedly threw chairs out of the ward; the charges were denied by the students. 

Criminal proceedings against them for violating the quarantine rules have also been terminated, but due to the harassment proceedings, they may not be able to return to Hungary in the near future.

The majority of Iranian students studied at Semmelweis University. The leadership of the university reassured them that their case was represented at the “top level” by the institution’s rector who suggested that the foreign students apologise in writing for their inadmissible behaviour. The majority of students refused to do so; however, some of them listened to the rector’s advise and wrote an apology letter, in which they apologised for the misbehaviour of their fellow students.

As the university’s management said, they feel a responsibility to every student; therefore, they continuously monitored the situation and took every opportunity to represent their interests when needed. However, the aforementioned Iranian students did not behave in accordance with their student vows, so they were asked by the university management to apologise to the doctors and specialists of the hospital.

Read alsoThe Iranian university students expelled from Hungary turned to court

Source: 444.hu