Русская версияThe court in Perth, Australia, ruled on Wednesday, Aug.
20, that
Charles Zentai is eligible for extradition to Hungary. Zentai is to
remain in custody in Perth until the appeals process runs its
course.
The 86-year-old has denied an accusation from the Simon Wiesenthal
Center that he participated in the fatal beating of 18-year-old
Peter Balazs, who was apprehended on a tram in 1944 for not wearing
the mandatory yellow Star of David.
At the time, Zentai was a 23-year-old officer in the pro-Nazi
Hungarian military. He claims he left Budapest with his regiment on
Nov. 8, 1944, the day before the murder.
Bildunterschrift:
Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:
Zentai's alleged victim was assaulted for not wearing the yellow
Star of David
Zentai and two fellow soldiers allegedly tortured and killed Balazs
then disposed of the body in the Danube River. His two alleged
accomplices were jailed over the murder in the 1940s.
Zentai, who emigrated in 1950, is ranked seventh on the Simon
Wiesenthal Center's list of top 10 World War II war criminals still
at large. Hungary requested his extradition in 2005.
Family appeals to Australia
Outside the Perth court, Zentai's son, Gabriel Steiner, said his
father was not in Budapest on the day of the killing.
"This is home," Steiner said. "He made a commitment to become an
Australian citizen 50 years ago, and I think Australia needs to
make some commitment to him as a citizen as well."
Zentai's family has argued that he may not survive the extradition
to Hungary due to frail health.
"We have faith in the Australian legal system but have no trust in
the Hungarian government, who are willing to pursue an innocent man
to this extent," he said.
A final decision to extradite Zentai to Hungary will be made by
Australia's Attorney-General Robert McClelland, based on court
rulings.
(Deutsche Welle)
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