Hungary has released more than 1,400 foreign nationals convicted of people smuggling, a decision that has been met with opposition from the European Commission.
The National Command of Penitentiary Services confirmed the release of 1,468 detainees convicted of human smuggling. This move follows Hungary’s announcement in April that it would free foreign people smugglers and give them three days to leave the country.
The Hungarian government cited overcrowding in its prisons and the associated high costs for taxpayers as the rationale behind this decision. They revealed that there were 2,600 prisoners from 73 countries in the national prison system.
Deputy Interior Minister Bence Retvari defended the action, stating that Hungary had to make this decision due to the lack of support from Brussels in terms of the cost of border protection.
Notably, in May, Hungary released 777 people smugglers, primarily from Romania, Ukraine, and Serbia.
However, the European Commission, known for its clashes with Prime Minister Viktor Orban on rule of law matters, has raised concerns and launched a legal procedure against Hungary’s decision. The European Union officials pointed out that mechanisms were not in place to ensure that the released smugglers would serve the remainder of their sentences in their home countries.
Austria responded to Hungary’s action by tightening its borders with the country, fearing that the freed smugglers would attempt to enter. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg criticized the move, emphasizing the need for “full clarification” from Hungary.
Prime Minister Orban has repeatedly criticized the EU’s migration policy, suggesting that it encourages increased migration into the bloc.
Hungary’s release of smugglers adds to the ongoing tension around the country’s asylum policies. The European Court of Justice ruled in June that Hungary had not fulfilled its EU asylum obligations.
Situated along the Western Balkan route used by people smugglers to traffic individuals into the EU, Hungary’s actions have sparked debates about migration policies, rule of law, and cross-border cooperation within the European Union.
