Hungarian president resigns over child sexual abuse scandal

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Hungarian President Katalin Novak resigned Saturday amid outrage about her pardoning a child sexual abuse convict.

Novak faced pressure to resign because of her controversial decision last April to pardon Endre K., who was convicted of covering up crimes committed by a sexual predator at a children’s home.

Novak announced her resignation in a video message shared by Hungarian public broadcaster, M1.

''I issued a pardon that caused bewilderment and unrest for many people ... I made a mistake,'' she said.

''Protecting children is our common responsibility,'' added Hungary's first female president.

Endre K. was sentenced to more than three years in prison in 2018 for pressuring victims to retract their claims of sexual abuse in a state-run children's home.

The director of the home was sentenced to eight years for abusing at least 10 children between 2004 and 2016.

Novak had pardoned two dozen people ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Hungary last April.

Former Justice Minister Judit Varga also resigned as an MP and chairwoman of Parliament’s European Affairs Committee.

Varga countersigned the presidential pardon last April.

Novak was elected as Hungary’s first-ever female president in May 2022.

The Hungarian National Assembly will elect the next president.