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Leftist parties decry reported govt plans to change criminal procedure laws
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Budapest (MTI) – Opposition leftist parties on Friday spoke out against changes the government will reportedly propose to several laws in connection with criminal procedures, which they said were “unacceptable” and designed to intimidate the public.
The daily Magyar Nemzet reported in its Friday issue that the justice ministry had drafted a package of proposed amendments to a number of laws which would make it legal for authorities to surveil or wiretap citizens without suspicion or probable cause. According to the article, if the amendments are passed, authorities would also have the power to read people’s letters or search their apartments or cars without a warrant.
The leftist Democratic Coalition (DK) called the amendment proposals a “betrayal” of freedom, solidarity and Hungary’s transition to democracy.
Speaking at a press conference, DK deputy leader Ágnes Vadai suggested that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wanted to “surveil ten million Hungarians day and night” out of fear.