Hungary Initiates Fresh Anti-Ukraine Propaganda Effort under Orban's Administration
In a sensitive and contentious turn of events, the death of József Sebestyén, a 45-year-old ethnic Hungarian from Ukraine's Transcarpathia region, has become a point of dispute between Hungary and Ukraine.
Sebestyén, who was a dual citizen of Ukraine and Hungary and resided in Berehove, a city near the Hungarian border, registered with the Ukrainian military and was mobilized in mid-June 2025 following the commencement of full-scale combat in Ukraine. Tragically, he passed away on July 6, 2025, in a psychiatric facility in Berehove after being mobilized and sent for basic training.
Ukraine has launched a thorough investigation into Sebestyén's death, involving the State Investigation Bureau and the county police, with coordination by the presidential office in Kyiv. However, Hungarian media aligned with the government have reported allegations that Sebestyén was beaten with iron rods during forced mobilization, leading to his death. These claims have been vehemently denied by Ukrainian authorities, who state that there were no signs of bodily harm and that Sebestyén died of a pulmonary embolism.
In response, the Hungarian government has called for EU sanctions against Ukrainian officials responsible for Sebestyén's death, suggesting that they should be placed on the EU's human rights sanctions list. Additionally, three Ukrainian officials have been banned from entering Hungary, citing their involvement in the alleged forced conscription and abuse.
The situation has heightened tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, with the Hungarian government accusing Ukraine of human rights abuses and Ukraine maintaining that the mobilization was lawful. The Ukrainian foreign ministry, in turn, accuses Hungary of exploiting the Sebestyen case for political purposes, particularly in its campaign against Ukraine joining the EU.
The circumstances surrounding Sebestyén's death remain unclear, with conflicting reports and evidence. A report by Hungarian pro-government portal Mandiner claimed that Sebestyén was beaten to death with iron bars, but this claim has not been verified. Vitaliy Glagola, owner of a Ukrainian Telegram channel, has disputed the authenticity of a video shown by Hungarian media, claiming it shows a different man and is being misused.
The Sebestyen case has revived the issue of the "Trianon trauma" in Hungary, a sensitive topic related to Hungary's loss of territory and population after World War One. Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok wrote a letter to Sebestyen's parents expressing outrage over the circumstances of his death, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has portrayed Ukraine as a mafia state and an evil empire.
Approximately two million ethnic Hungarians live in neighbouring countries, and many Hungarians are emotionally invested in the concerns of these ethnic Hungarians. The Hungarian pro-government media have published hundreds of emotional articles about Sebestyen's death, and videos showing Sebestyen have been circulated in Hungary and shown on pro-government media as evidence of Ukrainian military brutality. However, the videos published by Mandiner do not show any clear evidence of physical abuse on Sebestyen.
This ongoing controversy serves as a reminder of the complex and sensitive relationships between nations and the importance of transparent and thorough investigations in times of conflict.
- The death of József Sebestyén, a dual citizen of Ukraine and Hungary, has escalated into a dispute between the two countries, with Hungarian media claiming he was beaten during forced mobilization and Ukraine denying any wrongdoing.
- The Hungarian government, aligning with pro-government media, is pressuring the EU to sanction Ukrainian officials on the human rights sanctions list, following allegations of Sebestyén's death due to forced conscription and abuse.
- The Sebestyén case has revived the "Trianon trauma" in Hungary, a historical grievance related to Hungary's loss of territory and population after World War One, and has been used by Hungarian leaders to portray Ukraine as a mafia state and an evil empire.
- Amidst conflicting reports and evidence, the ongoing controversy between Hungary and Ukraine serves as a reminder of the importance of transparent and thorough investigations, particularly in times of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation, to prevent escalation of tensions and maintain peaceful relations between nations.
