Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban on
Wednesday attacked an Italian MEP who was released from
detention in Hungary after she was elected as a member of the
European Parliament in June, saying she "hit peaceful people in
Budapest", addressing the European Parliament.
Orban also said Greens MEP Daniel Freund was "corrupt, because
he is paid by (George) Soros", referring to the billionaire
philanthropist whom he has long accused of allegedly controlling
Hungary's opposition and plotting against the country's
interests.
"I think it is absurd that here we must all listen together to
Ilaria Salis who hit with iron bars peaceful demonstrators in
Budapest.
"She talks about the rule of law?
"The debate has gone beyond common sense, I've only heard
accusations, the outcome of your well-known propaganda.
"If you didn't read reports financed by Soros, rather than other
independent data, you would see that Hungary doesn't fare worse
than others in terms of corruption", said Orban.
Salis was released after being elected as a new member of the
European Parliament for the Italian Green and Left Alliance in
June.
The 39-year-old activist was elected during her time under house
arrest in Hungary, where she is on trial and faces charges for
allegedly assaulting far-right demonstrators.
Speaking at the European Parliament earlier on Wednesday, Salis
said "Europe must be robust and needs to refuse to cooperate
with Orban's oppressive regime".
And addressing Orban, the European lawmaker said she knew
Hungary from "its most obscure place: prison".
Salis recalled she had remained in pre-trial detention for 15
months prior to her election and "I am here today only thanks to
the solidarity of thousands of anti-Fascist citizens".
"Under Viktor Orban, Hungary has become an illiberal and
oligarchic regime, an authoritarian ethnic state that some even
define as a modern tyranny", Salis said.
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