Hungarian flag burned at Subotica graduation; police investigate

Tensions flared in Subotica, Serbia, during a high school graduation send-off event when a Hungarian flag was burned. The incident occurred as students participated in the traditional farewell ceremony.

Balint Pastor, president of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM), publicly praised a young Hungarian student who bravely displayed the national flag at the event. Pastor condemned the burning of the flag, calling it a criminal offense and expressing his expectation that authorities will act accordingly. He emphasized the progress made in strengthening Serbian-Hungarian relations and mutual respect over the past 13 years, warning that such irresponsible actions should not undermine these achievements.

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I am proud of the young Hungarian who today bravely showed his identity in Subotica and participated in the graduation send-off with the Hungarian national flag.

The Subotica Police Department confirmed their immediate response to the incident. They have taken statements from individuals with knowledge of the event and notified the relevant prosecutor's office. According to police, the student was wearing the Hungarian flag on his back when two minors allegedly took it. The flag was later found discarded in the city center. The incident reportedly took place around 9:30 a.m. outside the Ivan Sarić Technical School, where graduates had gathered. Unconfirmed reports suggest the flag was partially burned.

Pastor also commended the school's leadership for their prompt and responsible reaction, as well as the students who supported respect and common sense. He highlighted the importance of maintaining positive inter-ethnic relations, especially among the youth, and stressed that isolated incidents should not overshadow the broader efforts to foster understanding and cooperation between Serbs and Hungarians.

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The desecration of the Hungarian flag is a criminal offense, therefore, as the president of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, I expect the competent state authorities to act in accordance with the law.