(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is greatly troubled by the 1 June 1999 arrest of Laszlo Juszt, editor of the weekly magazine “Kriminalis” and former host of a television program of the same name on state-run MTV, on charges of revealing state secrets. The National Security office has accused Juszt of publishing classified documents in last week’s […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is greatly troubled by the 1 June 1999 arrest of Laszlo
Juszt, editor of the weekly magazine “Kriminalis” and former host of a
television program of the same name on state-run MTV, on charges of
revealing state secrets.
The National Security office has accused Juszt of publishing classified
documents in last week’s issue of “Kriminalis” that were embarrassing to the
ruling Fidesz party. The documents, which Juszt said he obtained from a
member of parliament, apparently undermined claims by Fidesz party leaders,
including Prime Minister Viktor Orban, that the previous government had
engaged in illegal spying on Fidesz party members when they were in
opposition. The documents revealed that there was no evidence that such
surveillance had taken place.
Juszt was held in police custody for seven hours, as police searched his
Budapest home, his farm outside the capital, and the offices of
“Kriminalis”. Police confiscated all of the magazine’s computers and many
documents, and sealed off the premises. On the same day, the Hungarian
national channel MTV terminated Juszt’s contract and cancelled “Kriminalis.”
Juszt said he was also forced to close his magazine, because the police raid
had “made it impossible to work.” He is now free pending trial.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
for practicing his profession
by his government to use Hungary’s national security laws to stifle
criticism
government, they in no way endanger the country’s national security
and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers,” as expressed in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights
Kriminalis’
confiscated property
Appeals To
His Excellency Viktor Orban
Prime Minister
Kossuth Lajos ter 1-3
1055 Budapest, Budapest fovaros
Republic of Hungary
Fax: +36 1 268 3050
E-mail: Viktor.Orban@meh.hu
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
