Romanian citizen charged in Hungary for forced labour and modern slavery
A Romanian has been charged in Hungary after forcing a man from Nagykőrös to work in slavery-like conditions. The Budapest prosecutor's office announced the charges on Thursday.
Romanian sent to trial in Hungary for exploitation through forced labour
A Romanian citizen has been charged in Hungary for unlawful detention and forced labour, after exploiting a vulnerable man from Nagykőrös, in the centre of the country, the Budapest prosecutor's office announced on Thursday, according to G4Media, which cites the MTI agency via Agerpres.
The initial agreement, established in 2022, stipulated that the victim was to work as a driver in exchange for accommodation and meals, plus a symbolic salary. At the beginning of 2023, the accused radically changed the conditions: he attacked and threatened the employee, forcing him to carry out agricultural and construction work. The food provided was reduced to a minimum, and payment sometimes amounted to 1,000 forints — the equivalent of approximately 2.7 euros — prosecutors claim.
The Romanian subsequently transported the Hungarian citizen out of the country, confiscated his passport and forced him to continue working. Authorities in that state discovered the situation, opened investigations for unlawful detention and forced labour, and helped the man repatriate to Hungary.
Approximately one month after repatriation, the attacker returned to Nagykőrös and attacked the victim again, forcing him to work without any remuneration. The man's disappearance was reported to police, the Romanian was arrested and a criminal investigation was opened.
The case illustrates a scheme of exploitation in multiple stages, carried out both on Hungarian territory and abroad.
Source: G4Media