- Title: Protesters demand Hungary's president quits over sex abuse case pardon
- Date: 9th February 2024
- Summary: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (FEBRUARY 9, 2024) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) PROTESTERS MARCHING ACROSS CHAIN BRIDGE PROTESTERS MARCHING, WOMAN HOLDING BANNER SHOWING PRESIDENT KATALIN NOVAK, READING (Hungarian): “Let's elect directly the president” PROTESTERS MARCHING ACROSS BRIDGE BANNER SHOWING PRESIDENT NOVAK AND READING (Hungarian): “She is unworthy of being president, must resign” P
- Embargoed: 23rd February 2024 18:49
- Keywords: BUDAPEST CHILD ABUSE HUNGARY KATALIN NOVAK ORBAN PARDON PROTEST
- Location: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
- City: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
- Country: Hungary
- Topics: Europe,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA003937309022024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Over 1,000 people in Hungary's capital protested on Friday (February 9), demanding the resignation of President Katalin Novak for pardoning a man involved in covering up a sex abuse case in a children's home.
Protesters in Budapest called for Novak's resignation, citing her pardon decision as unacceptable. Currently on an official visit to Doha, Novak expressed willingness to sign the amendment into law.
However, protesters argue that her resignation is the only acceptable solution, emphasizing the severity of her mistake.
Bela Sedan, a protester, stated, "Someone who makes a mistake like this should go away and not represent me as president of the Hungarian Republic."
Another protester, Attila Daniel Peto - a former sexual abuse victim - expressed outrage over the case and its impact on traumatized individuals who had previously come forward to share their experiences.
Novak pardoned two dozen people in April 2023, including the deputy director of the children's home. The director, convicted of sexual abuse from 2004-2016, was sentenced to 8 years, while the deputy director received over 3 years.
Opposition parties seek Novak's resignation, but she insists the decision is not public. Prime Minister Viktor Orban submitted a constitutional amendment to restrict the president's right to pardon child-related crimes.
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