Investigation into death of ethnic Hungarian conscript closed by Ukrainian authorities

No evidence of foul play was found in relation to the death of József Sebestyén, an ethnic Hungarian man from Transcarpathia, according to the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor's Office, and the investigation was closed on September, 24.hu has learned. According to the Ukrainian investigation, the man probably died as a result of a pre-existing condition.

"The investigation found that Sebestyén had been treated in hospital, and it was also determined that he had received the appropriate treatment and that there had been no negligence on the part of the medical staff," the newspaper reported.

An investigation was also launched in Hungary. Here, the case is being handled by the National Bureau of Investigation, and is still in the preliminary investigation phase, with no suspects having been questioned yet. The Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor's Office said that they have not been contacted by the Hungarian authorities about the case.

The Hungarian man from Transcarpathia died over the summer shortly after being conscripted. The first reports at the time indicated that he had been hospitalized a few days after being mobilized and then died.

Mandiner and other pro-government newspapers reported that he had been beaten so badly during mobilization that he eventually succumbed to his injuries. Two videos of him were released: in one, he can be seen on all fours, and in the other, he is in severe pain, asking paramedics for help, who simply respond by telling him to pull himself together and stand up. Telex traveled to Transcarpathia, where it asked locals about the tragedy.

Official Ukrainian statements afterwards differed significantly from the claims made by the man's family and acquaintances, which was further complicated by the fact that Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán also shared a picture that did not depict Sebestyén. András Rácz, an expert on Russia, repeatedly emphasized that in addition to appropriate government action, calmness was needed, as this would increase the chances of a professional investigation.

From the outset, the case has generated serious tensions in the already strained relationship between Hungary and Ukraine.