Contrary to the Hungarian government’s claims, the Szőlő Street scandal does involve children
Shocking new details have emerged in the case of the Szőlő Street Reformatory: freshly interviewed witnesses claim that the institution’s former director regularly molested, threatened, and abused the boys placed in his care. The government’s position that children are not involved in the case has thus seemingly lost credibility.
Further details have come to light regarding the Szőlő Street Reformatory case. The investigating authorities recently interviewed several witnesses who gave harrowing testimonies about how the institution’s former head, Péter Pál Juhász, treated them.
Based on the accounts, abuse, molestation, and even sexual coercion were routine within the walls of the reformatory: according to several witnesses, the director forced the boys in his care to perform oral sex and engage in sexual intercourse, as reported by Index.
Molestation, threats, and violence
HVG, citing prosecutor’s office sources, reported on one of the new witnesses, who was 15 years old when he arrived at the Szőlő Street institution. Szeretlek Magyarország later wrote that Klára Dobrev, the chairwoman of the Democratic Coalition (DK) party, shared a video on her Facebook page in which she spoke with the victim.
The politician claimed that she advised the boy to file a police report, and her party provided him with all the necessary support to process the trauma he experienced.
The boy arrived as a person facing multiple disadvantages and a previous victim of sexual abuse. He stated that within the first few days, it became clear to him that his situation would not improve within the Szőlő street institution. He alleges that upon his arrival, Péter Pál Juhász sought to examine his genitals, and only later did he understand that this was not part of any director’s duties.
The witness also described how the director regularly summoned him for private “chats,” which started with hugs and led to him being forced to perform oral and anal sex in the director’s office. Later, Juhász allegedly raped the young person in a darkened car. Péter Pál Juhász’s domestic partner also reportedly participated in these horrors.
Another witness was allegedly threatened by Juhász not to dare report the molestation to anyone. Despite the boy turning to a supervisor, reports indicate that most of the staff were loyal to the director, and later, two of his peers beat him up in revenge for speaking out.
Former director also charged with money laundering and forced labour
Péter Pál Juhász and his domestic partner were arrested in May, originally on suspicion of forced labour, human trafficking, and abuse of public office. Since then, the scope of the charges has expanded: they are now suspected of attempting to launder over 100 million forints from prostitution through the purchase of property and cars. Their detention was extended for another three months in November.
Previous reports and unaddressed footage Szőlő Street Reformatory
Similar accounts of the violence prevalent at the Szőlő Street institution had surfaced previously. A former employee spoke to Klára Dobrev in November, reporting that children were regularly subjected to physical and verbal abuse by the staff.
According to the account, cameras recorded the incidents, yet nothing ever came of the events, and nothing was ever uncovered during inspections. Péter Pál Juhász allegedly stated multiple times that he would simply sideline anyone who accused him, and he constantly blackmailed and threatened everyone around him to ensure their silence.
The employee in question was only willing to speak on the condition of anonymity and with their voice distorted, fearing the high-level connections Juhász might have.
Will the government change its stance?
In light of new information, the government’s entire position on the Szőlő Street scandal appears to have lost credibility. Back in September, when the case began attracting increasing attention, Justice Minister Bence Tuzson quickly released a report, which even referenced alleged involvement of foreign intelligence agencies and a well-orchestrated smear campaign.
The politician’s most significant statement, however, came in a video in which he asserted that no minors were involved in the events on Szőlő Street. Following this, Gergely Gulyás also declared that there were no victims under the age of 18, and even Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted on Facebook, describing the situation as a fake-news scandal and denying any involvement of children.
However, based on testimonies, it increasingly appears that several minors were indeed victims of the atrocities committed by Péter Pál Juhász, raising questions about how the government’s stance will change in light of these revelations.
Well done Fidesz, this is what we know you for.
LYING AND LYING.