Szeged court orders to put politican Czeglédy back in pre-trial detention

A Szeged court has ordered Csaba Czeglédy, a left-wing politician and fixer who is under investigation for the suspected misappropriation of public funds, be placed back into pre-trial detention after his immunity as an MP candidate was lifted by the National Election Committee (NVB).

Czeglédy was released from pre-trial detention last Thursday after declaring his candidacy for a parliamentary seat. But on Friday, the NVB suspended his immunity at the request of Hungary’s public prosecutor, leading to his re-arrest.

Czeglédy was arrested on suspicion of fraud, which the Csongrád County Chief Prosecutor’s Office brought to the attention of tax office NAV in late January.

Csongrád County Chief Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Ferenc Szanka told MTI on Monday that the court agreed with the prosecutor’s office that Czeglédy was a flight risk or could attempt to undermine the criminal proceedings against him. The court also found that Czeglédy’s Friday arrest was lawful, he added.

Miklós Hankó Faragó, Czeglédy’s attorney, told reporters after the court issued its ruling that the defence would appeal the decision. The defence argues that Czeglédy’s immunity has not been lifted in connection with a new investigation against him, because authorities have not even raised any new charges against him.

“What has happened is a desecration of the rule of law,” Czeglédy said on his way out of the courtroom.

Czeglédy has been under investigation for the suspected defrauding of the central budget. He is alleged to have stolen 6 billion forints (EUR 19m).

His name was entered into the registry of candidates in Vas County’s first electoral district last Friday.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI