Hungarian President Katalin Novak resigns after outrage over pardoning man who helped cover up sex abuse cases
HUNGARY President Katalin Novak has resigned – amid outrage after pardoning a man who helped cover up sex abuse cases.
Novak interrupted a trip to Qatar and stopped short in a speech on state television – just a week after the scandal engulfed him Hungary government.
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It was revealed that Novak pardoned “Endre K” after he was convicted of covering up a series of child abuse cases in a state-run children's home.
Endre K had been given three years jail punishment in 2018 for pressuring victims to withdraw their allegations against the home's director.
The director was jailed for eight years after abusing at least ten children between 2004 and 2016.
Novak pardoned the man and 24 other people That of Pope Francis visit to Hungary last year.
In her speech today, Novak said: “I granted a pardon that caused bewilderment and unrest among many people.
“I opted for leniency in April last year, in the belief that the convicted person did not abuse the vulnerability of the children entrusted to him.
“I have made a mistake. The pardon and lack of reasoning were suitable to cast doubt on the zero tolerance that applies to pedophilia.
“I apologize to those I have hurt and to any victims who felt I did not stand up for them.
'As head of state, I address you today for the last time. I resign as President of the Republic.”
More than a thousand protesters had gathered outside Novak's office in Budapest after news site 444.hu revealed the bomb.
Many protesters left teddy bears with their mouths taped shut.
Novak, 46, became Hungary's first woman president in 2016 after serving as Minister for Family Affairs.
She is an important ally of the country's far-right prime minister Victor Orbanwhich has often portrayed LGBT people as a threat to Hungary's children.
Orbán is also accused of it corruption and of muzzling journalists and the opposition since he was elected in 2010.
He is widely seen as the EU's most pro-Russian leader in recent memory went bankrupt after threatening to block a £43 billion aid package for Ukraine.
On Thursday, Orban proposed a constitutional amendment that would strip the president of the power to pardon crimes against children.
Former Justice Minister Judit Varga also resigned today after it became known that she had signed the pardon treaty.
Rising star Varga had been tipped to top the list for Orbán's Fidesz party this year. EU elections.