New Hungarian President Criticized for Past Stance on 1956 Uprising Convict

Hungary's new president, András Baka, is facing scrutiny following revelations about his past judicial decisions. Critics point to his support for the pardon of János Korbely, a participant in the 1956 Hungarian Uprising convicted of war crimes.

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A "traitorous murderer" from '56, whose pardon was previously supported by the new president of the republic.

Korbely was found guilty in 2001 of crimes against humanity for ordering his forces to fire on rebels and personally executing a rebel leader who was attempting to surrender. The conviction was later overturned by the European Court of Human Rights, where Baka served as a judge. Baka was part of the majority that ruled Korbely's conviction violated the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically Article 7, which prohibits punishment for an act that was not a criminal offense at the time it was committed.

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The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights – of which Baka András was also a member and belonged to the majority supporting the decision – ruled by a 11:6 majority that Korbely's conviction for crimes against humanity violated Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

This past decision has drawn sharp criticism, particularly as Baka is slated to speak at the upcoming 70th anniversary of the 1956 Uprising. Critics, including figures like László Toroczkai, question the appropriateness of his participation, suggesting his past actions undermine his credibility on the matter. The article highlights the stark contrast between Baka's stance and the public's potential expectations for commemorating the uprising.

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Korbely's unit killed several revolutionaries, one of whom he personally shot dead.