Ukraine has launched a full investigation into the death of József Sebestyén, the ethnic Hungarian man from Transcarpathia, according to 444. Ukrainian authorities, including the DBR (State Investigation Bureau) and the county police, have already started the investigation, which is being coordinated by the presidential office in Kyiv.
The information was shared by Judit Petei, the acting head of the KMKSZ faction of the Transcarpathian Regional Council, who also said that they have received assurances from President Volodymyr Zelensky that the proceedure would be thorough and objective.
Petei was recently honored with a high-ranking Ukrainian state award, which she dedicated to the Hungarians of Ukraine. "Our enemy is Russia, and our future is a free Ukraine within the European Union," she wrote on the occasion in a Facebook post.
More than a week has passed since the death of József Sebestyén, a Hungarian man from Ukraine's region of Transcarpathia, but what happened to him in the days and weeks prior to his death remain unclear. Hungarian pro-government newspapers reported that he was beaten so severely during the mobilization that he died from his injuries.
Two videos of him recorded during this time have also emerged: in one, he can be seen on all fours, and in the other, while in serious pain, he is seen asking the paramedics for help, who only responded by telling him to pull himself together and stand up. Telex went to Transcarpathia to ask locals about their comments on the tragedy.
The Ukrainian official statements on the case differ significantly from the claims made by the man's family and acquaintances, and the fact that a few days ago, when posting about the case on social media, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán himself shared a photo that is not of József Sebestyén does not make clarifying the facts any easier. Russia expert András Rácz has repeatedly emphasized that, in addition to the otherwise appropriate steps taken by the Hungarian government, it would be crucial to ensure that the matter is handled with calm, as this would improve the chances of a thorough and professional investigation.
From the very beginning, the case has caused serious tension in the already strained Hungarian-Ukrainian relations, which is why it is extremely important to thoroughly investigate the case: Did Sebestyén indeed sustain injuries after being mobilized, and was he mistreated because of his Hungarian nationality? While in Brussels on Wednesday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called for three high-ranking Ukrainian officials to be held accountable.
Speaking at the government briefing also on Wednesday, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office Gergely Gulyás said that Hungary would be taking steps to ensure that the circumstances surrounding József Sebestyén's death are investigated. He said that Ukraine must hold those responsible for Sebestyén's death accountable. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the Hungarian leaders are using the death of the Hungarian soldier who died after being mobilized in a manipulative way.
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