Graz arrest: Europol-wanted Hungarian fugitive captured in Austria
A Hungarian man sentenced to six years for attempted murder has been arrested in Graz after appearing on the Europol wanted list. Another Hungarian fugitive, Gábor Varga, remains at large.
Man arrested in Graz for assault committed in Budapest District IX
According to Daily News Hungary's reporting, a 28-year-old Hungarian man who was finally convicted of attempted murder has been arrested in Graz, Austria, after successfully evading authorities for years. Alex H. was sentenced by the Metropolitan Court to six years imprisonment, but the man did not report to the correctional facility, and subsequently appeared on the Europol wanted list.
According to the National Investigation Office (NNI), the underlying crime occurred in November 2021: Alex H., then 23 years old, became involved in a dispute with a distant relative in Budapest's District IX, near a shopping centre. The verbal altercation turned into physical violence – the man allegedly kicked the victim in the head while the victim was sitting on the ground, then repeatedly stomped on the victim's head after the victim fell. The victim suffered life-threatening skull injuries; police officers who arrived at the scene stopped the assault.
Following the conviction becoming final, Alex H. did not appear to begin serving his sentence, and therefore a manhunt was issued against him in April 2026. The investigation was initially conducted by the police of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, then the NNI also joined in. After authorities suspected that the fugitive had fled abroad, a European arrest warrant was issued in September, and the man was placed on Hungary's list of 50 most-wanted fugitives, as well as on the Europol wanted page.
Through cooperation with the Austrian fugitive-tracking unit, investigators received information suggesting that Alex H. might be working in Austria. A joint operation on 7 November resulted in success: the man was captured in Graz. Although he had altered his appearance and did not have original identity documents with him, the Austrian police were nonetheless able to identify him. He is currently in Austrian custody, and a decision on his extradition is still in progress; the return is being coordinated by Hungary's National Police Commissioner's Office.
The NNI also drew attention to another Hungarian citizen appearing on the Europol wanted page. The 49-year-old Gábor Varga is currently at an unknown location, presumably abroad. According to charges against him, between 2016 and 2021 he committed sexual assault on at least ten occasions: investigators allege that together with his partner he lured young women to his home in Csanádpalota, where he allegedly mixed mind-altering substances into their drinks, and then took photographs and video recordings of the victims. The Szeged Court of Appeal issued an arrest warrant against him on 3 January; both an international and a European arrest warrant are in effect. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years' imprisonment.
Source: Daily News Hungary