A Romanian man has been indicted in Hungary for allegedly keeping a man in conditions of slavery

A Romanian citizen has been indicted in Hungary for exploiting a poor man from Nagykőrös, in the central part of the country, whom he allegedly forced to work in inhumane conditions and without pay. The Pest County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Thursday that the victim was allegedly subjected to forced labor, assault and threats.

According to the indictment, in 2022, the Romanian allegedly offered the man work as a driver in exchange for accommodation, meals and a low salary. At the beginning of 2023, he allegedly attacked and threatened him, subsequently forcing him to carry out agricultural work and construction jobs. The victim allegedly received only insufficient food and, at times, approximately 1,000 forints, equivalent to 2.7 euros.

Later, the defendant allegedly took his victim abroad, confiscated his passport and forced him to work. Authorities in that country discovered the case, opened an investigation into unlawful detention and forced labor, and helped the man return to Hungary.

According to Hungarian prosecutors, the Romanian allegedly returned to Nagykőrös after about a month and attacked him again, forcing him to work without pay. After the victim’s disappearance was reported to the police, the suspect was arrested and the investigation began.