Hungary's president faces backlash over pardoning paedophilia case concealer

The pardon was granted to a former deputy director of a children’s home in Bicske, northern Hungary, who had been sentenced to three years and four months in prison due to his involvement in covering up paedophilia cases committed by his superior. The superior, who committed at least ten acts of child sexual abuse between 2004 and 2016, had been sentenced to eight years of imprisonment.

"The news of the presidential pardon will spread across Europe and damage Katalin Novak's international reputation", claims political scientist Attila Agh, as quoted by "Nepszava".

The pardon was issued just before Pope Francis visited Budapest in April 2023. According to a statement from the presidential palace at that time, "The papal visit is a special occasion for the head of state to exercise the power of mercy. That's why the president decided to grant a wide range of pardons on this occasion".

This is not the only controversial pardon in Hungary associated with the Pope's visit. Novak also pardoned the far-right activist Gyorgy Budahazy, who had been convicted of terrorism.

Although the pardon was granted more than six months ago, it's only recently that the case of the former deputy director of the children's home in Bicske has come into the limelight.

The largest opposition party in Hungary, the Democratic Coalition (DK), has written a letter to the Pope outlining the situation and seeking support for its opposition stance.

Other opposition parties are also voicing their protest against President Novak's decision.

Opposition Momentum party representatives held a protest outside the Sandor Palace, the Hungarian presidential residence, on Friday, displaying a banner labelled "Defender of paedophiles". The Jobbik party and Momentum are calling for the president's resignation.

"There is no mercy for paedophiles during Katalin Novak's presidency. There is no justification for paedophilia," stated the office of the head of state in response to a question from the 444. hu website, "Pedophiles have not and will not receive presidential pardons from Novak," the office added.

Novak has served as the President of Hungary since May 2022. Before that, she was the State Secretary for Family and Youth Affairs and the Minister without Portfolio for Family in Viktor Orban's government.