1987. május (53-73. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2

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24/0 littla Ru»»ell Street , LONDONI, W.C.i Ttl.0<-4M> t< 26 ■ Q. Uráné

71/87 /E/ 28th May, 1987

Zsolt Keszthelyi Sentenced flon-Appealably

The Military Board of the Supreme Court sentenced Zsolt Keszthelyi objecting to military service on political grounds at the hearing of appeal held in Budapest on the 28th of May, fór two and a half years imprisonment. The conviction, on the first instance, vas three years of imprisonment.The punishment meted out now - considering its length - conforms to the Hungárián judicial practice of the last years, it differs however in that objectors ha'veusualy been sentenced fór terms

to be served in "prison", bút in "jail" with a milder regulation.

Twelve persons were granted access to the trial as listeners. The judge, Colonel Rabdczki, interrupted the remarks of Zsolt Keszthelyi repeatedly and when Keszthelyi said that he was nőt going to serve the murdereres of Imre Nagy and Popieluszko, he announced to him in a menacing tone that he might commit the erime of instigation even by his final statement. At this stage Károly Kiszely from the audience inter- posed and remarked that in those days even Dimitrov was allowed to speak at the Nazi court. Later, when dr Tibor Pákh pút his word in about the presence of the Soviet troops of occupation, the judge ordered the court to be cleared, and after the break Pákh was nőt allowed to enter the courtroom again.

The tribunal rejected the former appeal of keszthelyi fór the court to turn to the council of constitutional right of the Parliament on the issue of the introduc- tion of alternative civilian service, ^he members of the military board are members of the council of constitutional right as well, and there is no divergence of opinion among them on this issue, the judge said.

Zsolt Keszthelyi will soon be transported from Budapest, bút his relatives and friends haven't been informed, which he will serve his sentence in.

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