Appeals court doubles sentences in mob-killing

The Debrecen Court of Appeals on Friday sentenced three men to life in prison for their part in the Olaszliszka lynching and murder on October 15, 2006. The three may be released from prison in 30 years at the earliest. A lower court had sentenced only one defendant to a life term.

Another defendant’s original sentence of 15 years was raised to 17 years, while two women were sentenced to 15 years each. A further two men were sentenced to ten-year terms as they were under 18 years old at the time of the murder.

Teacher Lajos Szögi from Tiszavasvár was beaten to death in from of his children by Roma residents in Olaszliszka, Borsod county after his car brushed against a 12-year-old local girl, who, it was later discovered, was not hurt. Her father, mother and older brother were among those sentenced.

The father of the slain man said there is no forgiveness, and the sentence does not bring him any consolation, as he had only one son. One of those found guilty apologised to Szögi’s family via the media.

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