ALLEGED MAGYAR GARDA MEMBER ATTACKS ROMA FAMILY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000384

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE, EUR/PGI JODY
BUCKNEBERG, AND DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM HU
SUBJECT: ALLEGED MAGYAR GARDA MEMBER ATTACKS ROMA FAMILY

REF: BUDAPEST 00168

Classified By: Acting Pol/Econ Counselor Steve Weston for reasons
1.4 (a,d)


1. (SBU) Post is closely following a violent attack on a Roma
family from the village of Abadszalok in eastern Hungary. On
May 27th at approximately 3:00 a.m. local time, a man entered
the family's home and attacked the mother and father with a
razor blade, slashing their throats, chests, and legs. Both
victims were asleep in their bed immediately prior to the
attack. Their son who was asleep between them was unharmed.


2. (SBU) According to news reports, neighbors living nearby
successfully detained the perpetrator until the police
arrived. The 46-year-old suspect is currently in police
custody. The police spokeswoman stated that the crime scene
was sealed off and an investigation is currently underway.


3. (U) Although the incident occurred less than 12 hours ago,
allegations about the suspect and the victim's backgrounds
are already circulating across the internet. Several media
outlets have reported that the suspect has ties to the
extremist group Magyar Garda and has bragged about his
involvement in previous attacks on Roma. There are also
allegations that he previously served as a soldier in the
military. Magyar Garda issued a press release denying that
the suspect has any connection to their group. The male
victim told the media that the attacker was wearing military
boots, had a pistol strapped to his belt, and was wearing a
hood at the time of the attack.


4. (C) The extremist website kuruc.info published information
that the male victim was a notorious loan shark who preyed
upon vulnerable families who could be coerced into accepting
substantial loans with exorbitant interest rates. The
article quoted a alleged resident of Abadszalok who said that
the victim's tactics "destroyed many families," including one
where the father became a drug addict, the mother became
psychologically unstable, and their six children were taken
into state custody. (Comment: In other recent attacks against
Roma, extremist groups have attempted to portray the victims
as criminals, suggesting they are either directly or
indirectly responsible for the crimes committed against them.
In some cases, the mainstream media has made similar
suggestions. End comment.)


5. (C) The modus operandi of this attack appears different
from the other recent violent attacks against Roma. In those
cases, police have reported several common characteristics
linking the crimes. Most notably, previous attacks have
involved a firearm, targeted the last house in a community,
and took place in villages adjacent to major highways
(reftel). Also, although only one arrest has been made to
date, the police speculate that the perpetrators are not from
the villages where the attacks took place. In the incident
this morning, the perpetrator targeted a home in the middle
of the street near the center of town and used a razor blade
instead of a gun. The village of Abadszalok is also
approximately 30 miles from the nearest major highway. The
suspect is allegedly a resident of the community as well.


6. (C) RSO and LEGATT have both been asked to seek additional
information from law enforcement contacts.


Levine