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January 24th, 2008

National Security Office accused of deceiving public over right to assembly

The National Security Office (Nemzetbiztonsági Hivatal; NBH) overstepped its power and misled citizens when it released a statement in 2006 stating that even passive participation in demonstrations constitutes a crime, Citizen Rights Ombudsman Máté Szabó said.

Máté carried out an investigation into the statement released by the NBH in 2006 in response to the unrest in Budapest in September and October. The ombudsman decided that it is not the role of the NBH but of courts and other authorities to evaluate whether the behavior of demonstrators constitutes a crime. He added that the NBH had no right to issue the potentially misleading statement.

The NBH also overstepped its mandate by becoming involved in crime prevention, Máté said. The ombudsman, after speaking with the the director of the NBH and the minister without portfolio supervising the body, decided that, in October 2006, the office had no knowledge of any terror threat, provocation or any other risks that “would have given cause for any action against citizens.”

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2 Comments

  1. Rolrox says:

    Shouldn’t the GVH fine NBH for mis-leading the public?

  2. Viking says:

    You do not fine a Public Body, but the responsible civil servant can be reprimended, warned, sacked and/or persecuted.
    If the responsible person is a member of Parliament, the Parliament first have remove his/hers legal impunity before any legal procedings can start.