Zentai appeals to the HRC
Lawyers acting for Charles Zentai, the Perth man facing extradition to Hungary to face questioning about the 1944 death of a Jewish youth in Budapest, have appealed to the Human Rights Commission to “safeguard their client’s rights”.
Zentai’s lawyer, Dennis Barich, told J-Wire: “We are questioning if Mr Zentai could ever receive a fair trial in Hungary given the time that has passed and the lack of knowledge as to whether evidence against him could have been extricated through torture.”
Barich added: “We are seeking the assistance of the Human Rights Commission in its capacity of an interested third party when Mr Zentai’s appeal is heard.”
He added that the HRC had received all the appeal material and a full review of the submission.
Zentai is wanted for questioning about the death of 18-yr-old Jewish youth Peter Balazs, who was physically pulled off a Budapest tram and dragged to army barracks where he was beaten to death in front of other prisoners. His body was dumped in the Danube.
The appeal for help to the HRC comes well in advance of Zentai’s appeal due to be heard in Perth’s Federal Court on March 31.
