Hungary‑Slovakia Roma relocation probe

In late July 2026 Hungary’s Interior Ministry announced an official investigation into the relocation of Roma families from the Lubina settlement in Košice, Slovakia, to the Hungarian village of Szalonna. The probe examines who organised and financed the moves, the property‑purchase and loan contracts, and whether coercion, fraud or other legal violations occurred. Hungarian officials stress the case is being treated on legal grounds, not as an ethnic issue, and pledge cooperation with Slovak authorities, while Slovak officials opened a parallel inquiry.

By early August the ministry confirmed families had been moved to several settlements in Borsod‑Abaúj‑Zemplén county, with Szalon (variant of Szalonna) highlighted, and said any breaches of EU free‑movement rights would be assessed. The mayor of Szalon denied any organised mass settlement, saying high registration fees were intended to deter large‑scale moves. On 1 August the interior ministry reiterated the comprehensive nature of the investigation, with spokesperson Adamko Zoltán emphasizing the focus on legality.

On 4 August the Hungarian opposition party Mi Hazánk Mozgalom called on the foreign and interior ministers to protect Szalonna and nearby border villages, warning that inaction could trigger mass migration. Slovak mayoral candidate Miroslav Sabol had filed a criminal complaint on 23 July concerning the alleged illegal removal of the Lubina settlement. The situation continues to generate political tension in both countries as elections approach in Slovakia.