'Forced conscription must be stopped': Hungarian FM Szijjártó backs illegal escape of Ukrainian men
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó (photo: Getty Images)
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that he supports the illegal crossings of Ukrainian men over the border, while criticizing the mobilization in Ukraine, Szijjártó reported.
Reaction to the detention of a Hungarian citizen
Szijjártó commented on the detention in Ukraine of a Hungarian citizen who, according to investigators, attempted to help five Ukrainian men illegally cross the border.
According to him, the Hungarian consulate in Berehove immediately provided the detainee with consular protection and is assisting him during the investigation.
"This case also clearly shows that war must be ended as soon as possible and forced conscription must be stopped immediately," the Hungarian foreign minister said.
Criticism of mobilization in Ukraine
Szijjártó said the war must be ended as soon as possible and, in his view, forced mobilization should be stopped.
He also claimed many Ukrainian men are trying to leave the country to avoid conscription, while Ukrainian border guards, according to him, are taking all measures to detain violators.
What preceded
Recently, Ukrainian border guards reported the detention of a group of men who attempted to enter Hungary illegally. During detention, two offenders tried to flee, forcing border guards to fire warning shots into the air.
According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, a Hungarian citizen acted as a guide and was supposed to help Ukrainians cross the border. According to detainees, organizers of the scheme planned to receive about 55,000 dollars, from 9,000 to 15,000 dollars from each client.
Near the border, close to the village of Choma, smugglers left an SUV used to transport participants of an illegal operation.
Border guards informed police about signs of crime related to the illegal transfer of persons across the state border. Law enforcement officers seized a vehicle, cash, and mobile phones that may contain evidence.
A Hungarian citizen was detained and notified of suspicion, and the court selected a preventive measure of 60 days in custody with the possibility of bail of 3.5 million hryvnias (approximately 90,000–95,000 US dollars).
Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó expressed outrage at Ukrainian tennis player Oleksandra Oliynykova. The reason was her refusal to shake hands with Hungarian opponent Anna Bondár, who attended the tournament in Russia after the start of the war.
