Hungarian Interior Ministry probes relocation of Slovak Roma families to Szalon

Hungary’s Interior Ministry has opened a comprehensive investigation into the relocation of Slovak Roma families to several settlements in Borsod‑Abaúj‑Zemplén county, most notably the town of Szalon. The probe will determine who organised the moves, the financing and property‑deal structures involved, and whether any coercion, deception or exploitation of vulnerable households occurred.

The ministry stresses that the case is being examined on legal grounds, not as an ethnic issue, and that any violations of EU free‑movement rights will be assessed. It also calls for cooperation with Slovak authorities, though no formal talks have been confirmed. The background involves the dismantling of the Lubina Roma settlement in Slovakia, after which families bought property in Hungary and were assisted by the Szalon mayor, who denies any organised mass settlement and says high registration fees were used to deter large‑scale moves. "We do not plan to settle Slovak citizens in Hungary," said Interior Ministry spokesperson Adamko Zoltán.