Justice Minister Steps Down, Media Speculates Timing
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Previously known for controversial political moves, such as pushing legislation against the radical ‘Hungarian Guard’ and coming under suspicion of counterfeiting evidence in the ‘Hungarian Arrows’ (alleged terrorist organization) affair, Tibor Draskovics announced his resignation saying he succeeded in implementing his policy program of early 2008.
Despite this, critics see hidden motives lurking behind the move, due to the number of urgent and ongoing domestic security issues.
These include the recent Pecs (Southeast Hungary) university shootings and an incoming Bolivian diplomatic delegation to address the co-called ‘Rozsa Flores affair’. The latter involved two Hungarians shot to death by police, allegedly due to their plan to overthrow Bolivian president Evo Morales.
The resignation could also relate to an ongoing scandal with Hungarian H1N1 vaccine manufacturer Omnivest, Fidesz (opposition) MP Imre Pesti told ‘InfoRadio’. Draskovics had direct, personal connections to the company’s owners, before its acquisition by its currently unidentifiable, offshore owner, he claimed.
The outgoing Minister called the allegations “conspiracy theories,” but admitted to the possibility of having known one of the former owners (pointed to by Hungarian media). “I might have met this person during my high school years, but in the last 35 years, definitely not,” he told Hungarian press. “I don’t know what he looks like, what he does or where he is.”
