Szőlő Street case: Prosecutor General's Office confirms investigation is continuing
The Central Investigative Prosecutor's Office stated that proceedings initiated on suspicion of human trafficking and forced labour remain active, following Sándor Bangó naming "Uncle Zsolti".
Prosecutor General's Office: Szőlő Street investigation not public, but ongoing
According to Index's reporting, the Central Investigative Prosecutor's Office confirmed to MTI on Tuesday late afternoon that investigation in the Szőlő Street correctional institution case is proceeding, though details are not being made public.
Katalin Kovács, head of the prosecutor's group at the Prosecutor General's Office and spokesperson for the Prosecutor General's Office, stated that the Budapest Regional Investigative Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation into the case on suspicion of human trafficking and forced labour offences, as well as other criminal acts. The established investigative task force is acting with a view to comprehensive and truthful clarification of the case, taking into account the statutory obligation whereby some of the victims are classified as persons requiring special treatment.
The spokesperson also emphasised that the non-public phase of the criminal proceedings means that information cannot be provided to the public regarding planned investigative measures and their scheduling.
The authority's statement was prompted by the fact that Sándor Bangó – a former resident of the Szőlő Street care institution – published a post on his TikTok page early on Tuesday morning in which he identified the politician he had previously referred to as "Uncle Zsolti". In response, Fidesz–KDNP issued a statement in which it claimed that in the post Zsolt Semjén had been "defamed following obvious political manipulation", and indicated that it would take the necessary criminal law steps without delay.
Bangó Sándor previously gave an interview to the programme Kontroll in which he spoke about a politician named "Uncle Zsolti" who, he claimed, committed sexual offences against young people placed in the Szőlő Street institution. Index reported on 8 May that Bangó had given a statement to the prosecutor's office and named the person in question, but the name was not made public at that time in the interests of the investigation.
Source: Index