Church spokesman says Hungarian government instigated violence

Published: 2006-10-24

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- A Hungarian church spokesman has accused the government of encouraging violence during commemorations of the country's 1956 uprising against communist rule. "This was a provocation by both government and police," said Csongor Szerdahelyi, spokesman for the Hungarian bishops' conference. "They've tried to give the impression the opposition is violent and impatient and wants to take power now without waiting for elections. This isn't true." Commemorations of the Hungarian uprising in Budapest Oct. 23 coincided with street protests that left more than 150 people injured; more than 130 were arrested. In an Oct. 24 Catholic News Service interview, Szerdahelyi said tens of thousands of Hungarians attending a peaceful opposition rally had been violently dispersed when participants in a smaller, more vocal demonstration were driven into their ranks by riot police. "Instead of separating the two crowds, the police pushed them together and beat indiscriminately -- this is the reality of Hungary today," Szerdahelyi said.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .