Two years on: Still no justice for Ilaria Salis’ victims

Salis is not a hero. She is a violent extremist who saw Hungary as a battleground for her ideology, attacking defenseless citizens in broad daylight. Yet, rather than standing trial like any other criminal, she was granted the ultimate escape route—election to the European Parliament. With the protection of MEP status, she has managed to sidestep prosecution and is now using her position to evade accountability entirely.

The facts remain indisputable. The Budapest court reviewed her case in detail and rightfully rejected her request for house arrest in Italy, citing the clear risk that she would flee justice. Hungarian prosecutors have sought an 11-year sentence for her crimes, a punishment fitting the severity of her actions. Yet, instead of respecting Hungary’s independent judiciary, foreign media and left-wing political circles have launched a campaign to rewrite the narrative, portraying Salis as a martyr rather than the violent offender she is.

Even before her escape to the European Parliament, misinformation surrounded the case. False claims—spread by her father, Roberto Salis—suggested that she had been denied her right to vote while in custody. The Hungarian Prison Service quickly debunked these lies, clarifying that all inmates, including Salis, are afforded voting rights under Hungarian law. The correctional system followed all legal protocols, ensuring her democratic rights were upheld. However, these facts did not stop the international media from pushing a fabricated story to fit their preferred narrative.

Foreign pressure on Hungary's judicial system has been relentless. Italian politicians and media outlets have demanded that Salis be handed over to Italy, implying that Hungary is incapable of conducting a fair trial. But Hungary’s legal system, like any in a sovereign democratic state, operates independently from political influence. As Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó emphasized, "This wasn't a crime committed on a whim but a well-thought-out, planned act. They nearly killed people in Hungary, and now she is depicted as a martyr."

Brussels has once again exposed its double standards. While Hungary is constantly lectured about democracy and rule of law, those same European institutions have no issue interfering in a criminal case, ensuring one of their ideological allies avoids punishment. When it suits their political agenda, they trample over national sovereignty and turn a blind eye to justice.

The real victims in this case are the Hungarian and foreign nationals who were violently attacked by Salis and her gang. Their suffering has been ignored, their injuries dismissed. Instead, the focus remains on protecting an Antifa militant who used violence as a political tool. The message being sent is clear: If you have the right ideological backing, you can get away with anything — even murder.

Hungary will not forget. The victims will not forget. And no amount of political maneuvering will erase the truth.

Hungary will continue to demand what should have been delivered two years ago: justice.