Hungary: Lawyer defends former minister Balázs Hankó

Gábor M. Tóth, the defense attorney for former Hungarian Minister Balázs Hankó, has criticized the prosecution for exceeding legal boundaries by making private requests public. The controversy stems from Hankó’s requests for a hairdresser and a clergyman while in custody at the Cegléd police station.

Tóth argued that while Hankó is a public figure, his personal and religious life remains protected under personality rights. The attorney clarified that the request for a personal hairdresser arose because the detention facility could not provide hair cutting services in accordance with regulations. According to the lawyer, detainees are entitled to free hair cutting services at least once a month in designated facilities, but Hankó sought his own professional to meet his needs.

The defense maintains that the prosecution’s decision to disclose these specific requests was self-serving and served to publicly humiliate the former minister.