Hungarian president resigns over paedophile scandal
Amid the scandal, Orbán submitted constitutional amendments to the government that prohibit pardons for crimes against children
Hungarian President Katalin Novak, who has been in office since 10 May 2022, has resigned her post ahead of schedule. Her address to citizens was published by the Hungarian TV channel M1.
"As head of state, I am addressing you today for the last time. I am resigning as President of the Republic. I was wrong. <...> There is no doubt about it and there can be no doubt. I will never forgive anyone who mistreats children. Protecting children is our shared responsibility," she said.
She assured that she was unaware of the pardoned crime and apologised to anyone who might have been affected by her decree, as well as to the victims of the crimes.
In April 2023, Novak pardoned a kindergarten director convicted of paedophilia. The pardon was signed to coincide with the visit of the Pope to the country. Information about this became known only on 2 February.
In total, Novak pardoned 40 people last year, a record number for the last 19 years.
The case in question is Andrew K., the deputy director of the shelter in Bychka, who used blackmail to force several children to recant their testimony against the paedophile director. The director of the institution, Janos V., who had been in charge of the orphanage for 26 years, molested at least ten underage boys between 2004 and 2016. The court ruled that Janos V. forced the children to perform oral sex.
The fact of the pardon would have remained unknown if not for the deputy director's attempt to appeal the details of the verdict, as pardon decrees are usually not made public.
All Hungarian opposition parties demanded Katalin Novak's resignation. The country's Prime Minister Viktor Orban submitted to the government constitutional amendments that prohibit pardons for crimes against children.
The Hungarian opposition claimed that Andrew K. deserved to be pardoned due to his proximity to Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party. Telex noted that the wrestling club of Viktor Orban's brother had been training in the orphanage in Bicske.
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