Hedvig Malina: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 17:55, 13 February 2008

Hedviga Malinová is a Slovak student of Hungarian ethnicity from Horné Mýto, Slovakia, who was allegedly physically assaulted in a hate crime incident. Her case represents a highly controversial and debated issue of Hungarian-Slovak relations.

Claim of violence

Hedviga Malinová claims she was severely beaten and robbed on 25 August, 2006 in Nitra and her attackers wrote "SK (probably means Slovakia) without parasites!" (Slovak: SK bez parazitov), "Hungarians to the other side of the Danube!"(Maďari za Dunai) on her clothes. Ján Packa, the head of Slovakian Police set up a special squad and started the investigation immediately^[1]. At first, nearly all Slovakian political parties distanced themselves from the case, with the exception of the Slovak National Party,^[vague] led by Jan Slota, infamous for his anti-Hungarian statements.^[2]

Police decision

Some two weeks after the incident, to great public surprise, police closed the case with the conclusion that Malinová's statements were feigned, and her attack never happened. As announced by Robert Kaliňák, Slovakian deputy prime minister and minister of the interior, none of the alleged victim's claims proved to be accurate. Her mobile network operator, for instance did not record any call on the day in question. Malinová also claimed she had been robbed. Her identity papers were later sent to her address. Police examination with the help of DNA analysis found Malinová's DNA on the envelope and the stamp. She gave the parcel to the police two days after receiving it because of a national holiday. It was pointed out that at the time the envelope was posted, she was in hospital.^[3] She was treated for internal bleeding, and the police authorities ascertained they had been caused before the day of the claimed attack. Graphology specialists concluded that the offensive writings on her clothes were most probably written by her. They did not ask Malinová for sample; they used an application for a passport from eight years before that is not sure was written by her.^[4]^[1] Kaliňák also stated, contrary to immediate examinations, she did not have concussion or bruises, and the blood most probably came from her epistaxis - the girl claims she has nosebleeds when under stress.

In a July, 2007 interview with Slovak Weekly .tyzden Malinová thinks the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior first believed what the Police said, but later only repeated their statements due to outside pressure^[5]. She feels calm now, finished her fourth year at the University with an excellent result.

Controversy over the investigation

Béla Bugár, then leader of the Party of the Hungarian Coalition (SMK-MKP) questioned the results of the investigation, calling attention to the fact that medical examination initiated by the police did not take place until 10 days after the case, allowing time for bruises to disappear. ^[6]

Malinová first appeared before the public on 13 September 2006, maintaining her initial claims. She said she was ready for polygraph test, and that she and her lawyer, Gábor Gál were considering reporting the case to public prosecutors because the victim had been interrogated for 6 hours during which officers tried to persuade her to withdraw her claims.

Ján Packa said the attitude of Malinová and her lawyer was "the despising of the work of Slovak police", while Kaliňák pointed out that Gál was trying to set up a political issue.

Hungarian politician Viktor Polgár pointed out that the incident was not an isolated case^[4]. (See 2006 Slovak-Hungarian diplomatic affairs)

The following day, Gábor Gál stood down due to pressure on him and the whole SMK-MKP for being involved in the case^[7], and gave over the case to a Slovak attorney, Roman Kvasnica. Kvasnica laid a complaint with the Nitra prosecution, which was refused on October 18 2006. In the meantime, state-owned Slovak television channel STV broadcasted a documentary directed by Eugen Korda, which claimed Kaliňák did not always tell the truth in connection with the case. The director was rapidly dismissed from the television channel.^[8]

Allegations of injustice

In November a certain Juraj Kubla reported Malinová to the authorities, accusing her with perjury. ^[9] Later Kubla committed suicide by hanging himself leaving behind a suicide note which was not published by the police. ^[10] At the end of November the police initiated criminal prosecution against Malinová, who, in turn, brought the case to the Constitutional Court. After a relatively calm period the case was taken up again in May 2007, when Juraj Kubla, who had reported Malinová to the authorities accusing her with perjury, committed suicide.^[11] Hungarian political party Fidesz called Malinová's case a show trial, pointing to many controversial facts. As Zsolt Német reminded, the media was informed about the act of accusing before the lawyer of the victim, and the accusation had been announced before it actually took place. Robert Fico called the above "the coarse intervention of Budapest into Slovakian home matters". ^[12]

On 26 May it was revealed that, besides the deceased Juraj Kubla, there was another person who reported Malinová to the authorities. This reporter was later identified as Peter Korček, former secret agent and presently a member of the Christian Democratic Movement, a Slovak political party. ^[13]

In June the case took another turn, when an eyewitness turned up. Zdeno Kamenický from Nitra claimed he knew one of the attackers, a certain Robert Benci^[14] from Nitra. Kamenický, due to uncertain reasons, was officially never interrogated by the police, who claimed Benci had "bullet proof alibi"^[15]. This alibi later turned out to be two contradicting statements from his mother and uncle, who said that Robert at the time was either at home sleeping or at a holiday place with his friends^[16]. Also in June, the Hungarian Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsány said that nobody has the right to doubt the independence of justice in another country.^[17]

The next month Ján Packa, head of the police, contrary to his claims he made one year before,^{[citation needed]} admitted that "Malinová might have been beaten". He now said: "we never claimed she was not beaten. We claimed it did not happen the way she states." It was also revealed that medical certificates made right after the incident but disregarded by the police did prove Malinová's recounting. Dušan Caplovic, deputy prime minister also accepted that "she may have been beaten, but not because she is Hungarian" ^[18].

Careful examinations following the above statements showed that Malinová's handwritten testimony was not copied accurately in typing, notably, an important sentence had been left out, which made Chief Prosecutor's Office start an investigation to find out if it was necessary to take up the case again. As a result of the investigation, Chief Public Prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka admitted that "both the police and prosecution made mistakes"; he, however, would not tell of what nature.

In August 2007, a former high-ranking police officer, Jozef Šátek, filed a complaint against Robert Fico, Robert Kaliňák and Ján Packa, claiming they abused their power in connection with Malinová's case. The complaint was dropped in September when the police concluded there was no reason to prosecute them.^[19]

In September 2007, Chief Prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka decided to replace police investigators working on the case of Malinová's alleged perjury^[20] and start the investigation again.

In October, 2007 Tom Lantos, Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives asked the Prime Minister of Slovakia to distance themselves from the Benes decrees, a reasonable process in the Hedviga Malinová case, and to treat members of the Hungarian minority as equal^[21]. He also blamed Robert Fico for creating the climate for anti-Hungarian sentiments by including "voluntarily in his coalition individuals with known ultra-nationalist, anti-Hungarian attitudes".^[22]

In December 2007 (15 months after the beating) the Slovak police gave the video cassettes about the initial hearing of Hedvig to Roman Kvasnica, her lawyer. It turned out the police broke the law several times. They forgot to mention three police officers were also in the room throughout the hearing.^[23] The investigators stopped the recording sometimes. The hearing lasted for six hours, but the police recorded only five hours of it, released now only three hours of that recording^[24]. The police still doesn't search the ones who committed the hate crime, only checks the credibility of the girl. Despite the police's early claims not one, but two cameras were used for the recording^[25]. Hedvig is still accused of misleading the authority for which she may be sentenced to five years in prison.

Conspiracy theories

Malinová got into the centre of several conspiracy theories, which relate the case to the Slovak authorities or nationalists^[3]^[26]. Pravda daily and Radio Slovakia International comments the cause following: "The victim has become the guilty party, and the question now is whether or not she will be prosecuted herself. She's been a pawn in a political game from the very beginning." ... "Thanks to the overtime put in by Bela Bugar and his ethnic-Hungarian SMK party, Malinova appears to be the victim of 'Slovak extremism', and not of a 'Hungarian game.' At this stage, we can only forgive Hedviga, but not forget those who were standing behind her the whole time"^[26].

References

^ ^a ^b "Police:Hedviga lied". The Slovak Spectator. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "A Hungarian student was beaten in Slovakia" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ ^a ^b "Conspiracy theories over Hedviga Malinová" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ ^a ^b "Confusing contradictions in the Nyitra incident" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "I'm fighting until my name will be cleared" (in Hungarian). Népszabadság. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Beating of a Hungarian in Nyitra thought to be made up" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Timetable Of Hedviga Malinová's Case". Hungarian Coalition Party. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "New scandal in Slovakia due to Hedviga Malinová" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Hedviga Malinová prosecuted for being a false witness" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Two reported Hedviga Malinová" (in Hungarian). HVG. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Denunciator of Hedviga Malinová left a suicide note" (in Hungarian). Origo. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Fidesz, MSZP: Hedviga Malinová to be sentenced in a state trial" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Psychiatrists, discredited deputies and secret service agents around Hedviga Malinová" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Hedviga Malinová's possible attacker questioned only as a witness" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Hedviga Malinová's possible attacker denies allegations" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Hearing of one of the possible attackers of Hedviga Malinová is over" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Kauza Malinová: Gyurcsány sa zastal Fica" (in Slovak). Pravda. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Slovak Police also thinks Hedviga Malinová was beaten" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ Criminal complaint against Slovak premier dropped. ČTK - Czech News Agency. September 27, 2007.
^ "Malinová case to get new prosecutor and investigator". The Slovak Spectator. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Offensive on Fico from overseas" (in Hungarian). Magyar Hírlap. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "U.S. lawmaker blames Slovak government for ethnically motivated attacks on Hungarians". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "The record of the interrogation of Hedviga Malinová has been leaked out" (in Hungarian). Origo. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Why were three policemen present at the hearing of Hedviga Malinová?" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Video leaked out: what happened during the interrogation of Hedviga Malinová?" (in Hungarian). Hírszerző. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ ^a ^b "Hedviga as victim". Slovak Radio International. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[Spectator-1] "Police:Hedviga lied". The Slovak Spectator. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[2] "A Hungarian student was beaten in Slovakia" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[Index-3] "Conspiracy theories over Hedviga Malinová" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[Contradictions-4] "Confusing contradictions in the Nyitra incident" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[5] "I'm fighting until my name will be cleared" (in Hungarian). Népszabadság. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[6] "Beating of a Hungarian in Nyitra thought to be made up" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[7] "Timetable Of Hedviga Malinová's Case". Hungarian Coalition Party. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[8] "New scandal in Slovakia due to Hedviga Malinová" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[9] "Hedviga Malinová prosecuted for being a false witness" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[10] "Two reported Hedviga Malinová" (in Hungarian). HVG. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[11] "Denunciator of Hedviga Malinová left a suicide note" (in Hungarian). Origo. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[12] "Fidesz, MSZP: Hedviga Malinová to be sentenced in a state trial" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[13] "Psychiatrists, discredited deputies and secret service agents around Hedviga Malinová" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[14] "Hedviga Malinová's possible attacker questioned only as a witness" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[15] "Hedviga Malinová's possible attacker denies allegations" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[16] "Hearing of one of the possible attackers of Hedviga Malinová is over" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[17] "Kauza Malinová: Gyurcsány sa zastal Fica" (in Slovak). Pravda. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[18] "Slovak Police also thinks Hedviga Malinová was beaten" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[19] Criminal complaint against Slovak premier dropped. ČTK - Czech News Agency. September 27, 2007.

[20] "Malinová case to get new prosecutor and investigator". The Slovak Spectator. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[21] "Offensive on Fico from overseas" (in Hungarian). Magyar Hírlap. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[22] "U.S. lawmaker blames Slovak government for ethnically motivated attacks on Hungarians". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[23] "The record of the interrogation of Hedviga Malinová has been leaked out" (in Hungarian). Origo. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[24] "Why were three policemen present at the hearing of Hedviga Malinová?" (in Hungarian). Index. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[25] "Video leaked out: what happened during the interrogation of Hedviga Malinová?" (in Hungarian). Hírszerző. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[Radio-26] "Hedviga as victim". Slovak Radio International. Retrieved 2008-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Refimprove|date=February 2008}}
-'''Hedvig Malina''' is an ethnic [[Hungarian people|Hungarian]] student<ref>{{cite web|title=Violent video stirs waves in the Malina case|publisher=''The Budapest Sun''|url=http://www.budapestsun.com/cikk.php?id=27818|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> from [[Horné Mýto]] (Hungarian: Vámosfalu), [[Slovakia]], who was allegedly physically assaulted in a [[hate crime]] incident. Her case represents a highly controversial and debated issue of [[Hungary|Hungarian]]-[[Slovakia|Slovak]] relations.
+'''Hedviga Malinová''' is a [[Slovakia|Slovak]] student of [[Hungarian people|Hungarian]] ethnicity from [[Horné Mýto]], Slovakia, who was allegedly physically assaulted in a [[hate crime]] incident. Her case represents a highly controversial and debated issue of [[Hungary|Hungarian]]-Slovak relations.
 ==Claim of violence==
-Hedvig Malina claims she was severely beaten and robbed on 25 August, 2006 in [[Nitra]] and her attackers wrote  "SK (probably means Slovakia) without parasites!" ({{lang-sk|SK bez parazitov}}), "Hungarians to the other side of the Danube!"(''Maďari za Dunai'') on her clothes. Ján Packa, the head of Slovakian Police set up a special squad and started the investigation immediately<ref name="Spectator">{{cite web|title=Police:Hedviga lied|publisher=''The Slovak Spectator''|url=http://www.spectator.sk/articles/view/24629|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. At first, nearly all Slovakian political parties distanced themselves from the case, with the exception of the Slovak National Party, led by [[Jan Slota]], infamous for his anti-Hungarian statements. <ref>{{cite web|title=A Hungarian student was beaten in Slovakia|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/nyitra5601|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
+Hedviga Malinová claims she was severely beaten and robbed on 25 August, 2006 in [[Nitra]] and her attackers wrote  "SK (probably means Slovakia) without parasites!" ({{lang-sk|SK bez parazitov}}), "Hungarians to the other side of the Danube!"(''Maďari za Dunai'') on her clothes. Ján Packa, the head of Slovakian Police set up a special squad and started the investigation immediately<ref name="Spectator">{{cite web|title=Police:Hedviga lied|publisher=''The Slovak Spectator''|url=http://www.spectator.sk/articles/view/24629|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. At first, nearly all Slovakian political parties distanced themselves from the case, with the exception of the Slovak National Party,{{vague}} led by [[Jan Slota]], infamous for his anti-Hungarian statements.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Hungarian student was beaten in Slovakia|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/nyitra5601|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
 ==Police decision==
-Some two weeks after the incident, to great public surprise, police closed the case with the conclusion that Malina's statements were feigned, and her attack never happened. As announced by [[Robert Kaliňák]], Slovakian deputy prime minister and minister of the interior, none of the alleged victim's claims proved to be accurate. Her mobile network operator, for instance did not record any call on the day in question. Malina also claimed she had been robbed, and her identity papers were later sent to her address. Police examination with the help of DNA analysis proved that the parcel was posted by Malina herself. She gave the parcel to the police only two days after receiving it because of a national holiday. She applied the envelope too, because the police asked for it. It was later pointed out that at the time of posting the pack she was in hospital<ref name="Index">{{cite web|title=Conspiracy theories over Hedvig Malina|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/ossszel1115/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. As for her injuries - she was treated for internal bleeding - police authorities ascertained they had been caused before the day of the claimed attack. Graphology specialists assumed that the offensive writings on her clothes were most probably done by herself. They did not ask Malina for sample, they used an application for a passport from eight years before that is not sure was written by her.<ref name="Contradictions">{{cite web|title=Confusing contradictions in the Nyitra incident|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/szlo0914/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref><ref name="Spectator"/> Kaliňák also stated, contrary to immediate examinations, she did not have concussion or bruises, and the blood most probably came from her epistaxis - the girl claims she has nosebleeds when under stress.
+Some two weeks after the incident, to great public surprise, police closed the case with the conclusion that Malinová's statements were feigned, and her attack never happened. As announced by [[Robert Kaliňák]], Slovakian deputy prime minister and minister of the interior, none of the alleged victim's claims proved to be accurate. Her mobile network operator, for instance did not record any call on the day in question. Malinová also claimed she had been robbed. Her identity papers were later sent to her address. Police examination with the help of [[DNA]] analysis found Malinová's DNA on the envelope and the stamp. She gave the parcel to the police two days after receiving it because of a national holiday. It was pointed out that at the time the envelope was posted, she was in hospital.<ref name="Index">{{cite web|title=Conspiracy theories over Hedviga Malinová|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/ossszel1115/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> She was treated for internal bleeding, and the police authorities ascertained they had been caused before the day of the claimed attack. Graphology specialists concluded that the offensive writings on her clothes were most probably written by her. They did not ask Malinová for sample; they used an application for a passport from eight years before that is not sure was written by her.<ref name="Contradictions">{{cite web|title=Confusing contradictions in the Nyitra incident|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/szlo0914/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref><ref name="Spectator"/> Kaliňák also stated, contrary to immediate examinations, she did not have concussion or bruises, and the blood most probably came from her epistaxis - the girl claims she has nosebleeds when under stress.
-In a July, 2007 interview with Slovak Weekly .tyzden Malina thinks the [[Robert Fico|Prime Minister]] and the [[Robert Kaliňák|Minister of the Interior]] first believed what the Police said, but later only repeated their statements due to outside pressure<ref>{{cite web|title=I'm fighting until my name will be cleared|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Népszabadság''|url=http://nol.hu/cikk/453486/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. She feels calm now, finished her fourth year at the University with an excellent result.
+In a July, 2007 interview with Slovak Weekly .tyzden Malinová thinks the [[Robert Fico|Prime Minister]] and the [[Robert Kaliňák|Minister of the Interior]] first believed what the Police said, but later only repeated their statements due to outside pressure<ref>{{cite web|title=I'm fighting until my name will be cleared|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Népszabadság''|url=http://nol.hu/cikk/453486/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. She feels calm now, finished her fourth year at the University with an excellent result.
 ==Controversy over the investigation==
 [[Béla Bugár]], then leader of the [[Party of the Hungarian Coalition]] (SMK-MKP) questioned the results of the investigation, calling attention to the fact that medical examination initiated by the police did not take place until 10 days after the case, allowing time for bruises to disappear. <ref>{{cite web|title=Beating of a Hungarian in Nyitra thought to be made up|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/szlo0912/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
-Malina first appeared before the public on 13 September 2006, maintaining her initial claims. She said she was ready for polygraph test, and that she and her lawyer, [[Gábor Gál]] were considering reporting the case to public prosecutors because the victim had been interrogated for 6 hours during which officers tried to persuade her to withdraw her claims.
+Malinová first appeared before the public on 13 September 2006, maintaining her initial claims. She said she was ready for polygraph test, and that she and her lawyer, [[Gábor Gál]] were considering reporting the case to public prosecutors because the victim had been interrogated for 6 hours during which officers tried to persuade her to withdraw her claims.
-Ján Packa said the attitude of Malina and her lawyer was "the despising of the work of Slovak police", while Kaliňák pointed out that Gál was trying to set up a political issue.
+Ján Packa said the attitude of Malinová and her lawyer was "the despising of the work of Slovak police", while Kaliňák pointed out that Gál was trying to set up a political issue.
 Hungarian politician Viktor Polgár pointed out that the incident was not an isolated case<ref name="Contradictions"/>. (See [[2006 Slovak-Hungarian diplomatic affairs]])
-The following day, Gábor Gál stood down due to pressure on him and the whole SMK-MKP for being involved in the case<ref>{{cite web|title=Timetable Of Hedviga Malinová’s Case|publisher=''Hungarian Coalition Party''|url=http://www.mkp.sk/eng/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=33|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>, and gave over the case to a Slovak attorney, [[Roman Kvasnica]]. Kvasnica laid a complaint with the Nitra prosecution, which was refused on [[October 18]] [[2006]]. In the meantime, state-owned Slovak television channel STV broadcasted a documentary directed by [[Eugen Korda]], which claimed Kaliňák did not always tell the truth in connection with the case. The director was rapidly dismissed from the television channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=New scandal in Slovakia due to Hedvig Malina|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/botr62372/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
+The following day, Gábor Gál stood down due to pressure on him and the whole SMK-MKP for being involved in the case<ref>{{cite web|title=Timetable Of Hedviga Malinová’s Case|publisher=''Hungarian Coalition Party''|url=http://www.mkp.sk/eng/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=33|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>, and gave over the case to a Slovak attorney, [[Roman Kvasnica]]. Kvasnica laid a complaint with the Nitra prosecution, which was refused on [[October 18]] [[2006]]. In the meantime, state-owned Slovak television channel STV broadcasted a documentary directed by [[Eugen Korda]], which claimed Kaliňák did not always tell the truth in connection with the case. The director was rapidly dismissed from the television channel.<ref>{{cite web|title=New scandal in Slovakia due to Hedviga Malinová|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/botr62372/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
 ==Allegations of injustice==
-In November a certain Juraj Kubla reported Malina to the authorities, accusing her with perjury. <ref>{{cite web|title=Malina Hedvig prosecuted for being a false witness|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/malhed1110/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> Later Kubla committed suicide by hanging himself leaving behind a suicide note  which was not published by the police. <ref>{{cite web|title=Two reported Hedvig Malina|language=Hungarian|publisher=''HVG''|url=http://hvg.hu/itthon/20070526_malina_feljelento.aspx|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> At the end of November the police initiated criminal prosecution against Malina, who, in turn, brought the case to the Constitutional Court.
+In November a certain Juraj Kubla reported Malinová to the authorities, accusing her with perjury. <ref>{{cite web|title=Hedviga Malinová prosecuted for being a false witness|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/malhed1110/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> Later Kubla committed suicide by hanging himself leaving behind a suicide note  which was not published by the police. <ref>{{cite web|title=Two reported Hedviga Malinová|language=Hungarian|publisher=''HVG''|url=http://hvg.hu/itthon/20070526_malina_feljelento.aspx|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> At the end of November the police initiated criminal prosecution against Malinová, who, in turn, brought the case to the Constitutional Court.
-After a relatively calm period the case was taken up again in May 2007, when Juraj Kubla, who had reported Malina to the authorities accusing her with perjury, committed suicide.<ref>{{cite web|title=Denunciator of Hedvig Malina left a suicide note|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Origo''|url=http://www.origo.hu/nagyvilag/20070525bucsulevelet.html |accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> Hungarian political party [[Fidesz]] called Malina's case a [[show trial]], pointing to many controversial facts. As [[Zsolt Német]] reminded, the media was informed about the act of accusing before the lawyer of the victim, and the accusation had been announced before it actually took place. Robert Fico called the above "the coarse intervention of Budapest into Slovakian home matters". <ref>{{cite web|title=Fidesz, MSZP: Hedvig Malina to be sentenced in a state trial|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/mhedvig0517/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
+After a relatively calm period the case was taken up again in May 2007, when Juraj Kubla, who had reported Malinová to the authorities accusing her with perjury, committed suicide.<ref>{{cite web|title=Denunciator of Hedviga Malinová left a suicide note|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Origo''|url=http://www.origo.hu/nagyvilag/20070525bucsulevelet.html |accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> Hungarian political party [[Fidesz]] called Malinová's case a [[show trial]], pointing to many controversial facts. As [[Zsolt Német]] reminded, the media was informed about the act of accusing before the lawyer of the victim, and the accusation had been announced before it actually took place. Robert Fico called the above "the coarse intervention of Budapest into Slovakian home matters". <ref>{{cite web|title=Fidesz, MSZP: Hedviga Malinová to be sentenced in a state trial|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/mhedvig0517/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
-On 26 May it was revealed that, besides the deceased Juraj Kubla, there was another person who reported Malina to the authorities. This reporter was later identified as [[Peter Korček]], former secret agent and presently a member of the [[Christian Democratic Movement]], a Slovak political party. <ref>{{cite web|title=Psychiatrists, discredited deputies and secret service agents around Hedvig Malina|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/malina0529h/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
+On 26 May it was revealed that, besides the deceased Juraj Kubla, there was another person who reported Malinová to the authorities. This reporter was later identified as [[Peter Korček]], former secret agent and presently a member of the [[Christian Democratic Movement]], a Slovak political party. <ref>{{cite web|title=Psychiatrists, discredited deputies and secret service agents around Hedviga Malinová|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/malina0529h/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>
-In June the case took another turn, when an eyewitness turned up. Zdeno Kamenický from Nitra claimed he knew one of the attackers, a certain Robert Benci<ref>{{cite web|title=Hedvig Malina's possible attacker questioned only as a witness|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/malinahedvig/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> from Nitra. Kamenický, due to uncertain reasons, was officially never interrogated by the police, who claimed Benci had "bullet proof alibi"<ref>{{cite web|title=Hedvig Malina's possible attacker denies allegations|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/mahed070621/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. This alibi later turned out to be two [[contradiction|contradicting]] statements from his mother and uncle, who said that Robert at the time was either at home sleeping or at a holiday place with his friends<ref>{{cite web|title=Hearing of one of the possible attackers of Hedvig Malina is over|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/hedvig1022/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. Also in June, the Hungarian Prime Minister, [[Ferenc Gyurcsány]] said that nobody has the right to doubt the independence of justice in another country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kauza Malinová: Gyurcsány sa zastal Fica|language=Slovak|publisher=''Pravda''|url=http://spravy.pravda.sk/kauza-malinova-gyurcsany-sa-zastal-fica-f0j-/sk_svet.asp?c=A070621_122736_sk_svet_p12|accessdate=2008-02-12}} </ref>
+In June the case took another turn, when an eyewitness turned up. Zdeno Kamenický from Nitra claimed he knew one of the attackers, a certain Robert Benci<ref>{{cite web|title=Hedviga Malinová's possible attacker questioned only as a witness|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/malinahedvig/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> from Nitra. Kamenický, due to uncertain reasons, was officially never interrogated by the police, who claimed Benci had "bullet proof alibi"<ref>{{cite web|title=Hedviga Malinová's possible attacker denies allegations|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/mahed070621/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. This alibi later turned out to be two [[contradiction|contradicting]] statements from his mother and uncle, who said that Robert at the time was either at home sleeping or at a holiday place with his friends<ref>{{cite web|title=Hearing of one of the possible attackers of Hedviga Malinová is over|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/hedvig1022/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. Also in June, the Hungarian Prime Minister, [[Ferenc Gyurcsány]] said that nobody has the right to doubt the independence of justice in another country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kauza Malinová: Gyurcsány sa zastal Fica|language=Slovak|publisher=''Pravda''|url=http://spravy.pravda.sk/kauza-malinova-gyurcsany-sa-zastal-fica-f0j-/sk_svet.asp?c=A070621_122736_sk_svet_p12|accessdate=2008-02-12}} </ref>
-The next month Ján Packa, head of the police, contrary to his claims he made one year before, admitted that "Malina might have been beaten". He now said: "we never claimed she was not beaten. We claimed it did not happen the way she states." It was also revealed that medical certificates made right after the incident but disregarded by the police did prove Malina's recounting. Dušan Caplovic, deputy prime minister also accepted that "she may have been beaten, but not because she is Hungarian" <ref>{{cite web|title=Slovak Police also thinks Hedvig Malina was beaten|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/malin724h/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>.
+The next month Ján Packa, head of the police, contrary to his claims he made one year before,{{fact|date=February 2008}} admitted that "Malinová might have been beaten". He now said: "we never claimed she was not beaten. We claimed it did not happen the way she states." It was also revealed that medical certificates made right after the incident but disregarded by the police did prove Malinová's recounting. Dušan Caplovic, deputy prime minister also accepted that "she may have been beaten, but not because she is Hungarian" <ref>{{cite web|title=Slovak Police also thinks Hedviga Malinová was beaten|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/malin724h/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>.
-Careful examinations following the above statements showed that Malina's handwritten testimony was not copied accurately in typing, notably, an important sentence had been left out, which made Chief Prosecutor's Office start an investigation to find out if it was necessary to take up the case again. As a result of the investigation, Chief Public Prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka admitted that "both the police and prosecution made mistakes"; he, however, would not tell of what nature.
+Careful examinations following the above statements showed that Malinová's handwritten testimony was not copied accurately in typing, notably, an important sentence had been left out, which made Chief Prosecutor's Office start an investigation to find out if it was necessary to take up the case again. As a result of the investigation, Chief Public Prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka admitted that "both the police and prosecution made mistakes"; he, however, would not tell of what nature.
-In August 2007, a former high-ranking police officer, Jozef Šátek, filed a complaint against Robert Fico, Robert Kaliňák and Ján Packa, claiming they [[abuse of power|abused their power]] in connection with Malina's case. The complaint was dropped in September when the police concluded there was no reason to prosecute them.<ref>Criminal complaint against Slovak premier dropped. ČTK - Czech News Agency. September 27, 2007.</ref>
+In August 2007, a former high-ranking police officer, Jozef Šátek, filed a complaint against Robert Fico, Robert Kaliňák and Ján Packa, claiming they [[abuse of power|abused their power]] in connection with Malinová's case. The complaint was dropped in September when the police concluded there was no reason to prosecute them.<ref>Criminal complaint against Slovak premier dropped. ČTK - Czech News Agency. September 27, 2007.</ref>
-In September 2007, Chief Prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka decided to replace police investigators working on the case of Malina's alleged perjury<ref>{{cite web|title=Malinová case to get new prosecutor and investigator|publisher=''The Slovak Spectator''|url=http://www.spectator.sk/articles/view/29295/10/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> and start the investigation again.
+In September 2007, Chief Prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka decided to replace police investigators working on the case of Malinová's alleged perjury<ref>{{cite web|title=Malinová case to get new prosecutor and investigator|publisher=''The Slovak Spectator''|url=http://www.spectator.sk/articles/view/29295/10/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> and start the investigation again.
-In October, 2007 [[Tom Lantos]], [[Democratic]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] asked the Prime Minister of Slovakia to distance themselves from the [[Benes decrees]], a reasonable process in the Hedvig Malina case, and to treat members of the [[Hungarians in Slovakia|Hungarian minority]] as equal<ref>{{cite web|title=Offensive on Fico from overseas|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Magyar Hírlap''|url=http://www.magyarhirlap.hu/Archivum_cikk.php?cikk=137542&archiv=1&next=0|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. He also blamed Robert Fico for creating the climate for anti-Hungarian sentiments by including "voluntarily in his coalition individuals with known ultra-nationalist, anti-Hungarian attitudes".<ref>{{cite web|title= U.S. lawmaker blames Slovak government for ethnically motivated attacks on Hungarians|publisher=''International Herald Tribune''|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/05/europe/EU_GEN_Hungary_US_Slovakia.php|accessdate=2008-02-12}} </ref>
+In October, 2007 [[Tom Lantos]], [[Democratic]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] asked the Prime Minister of Slovakia to distance themselves from the [[Benes decrees]], a reasonable process in the Hedviga Malinová case, and to treat members of the [[Hungarians in Slovakia|Hungarian minority]] as equal<ref>{{cite web|title=Offensive on Fico from overseas|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Magyar Hírlap''|url=http://www.magyarhirlap.hu/Archivum_cikk.php?cikk=137542&archiv=1&next=0|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. He also blamed Robert Fico for creating the climate for anti-Hungarian sentiments by including "voluntarily in his coalition individuals with known ultra-nationalist, anti-Hungarian attitudes".<ref>{{cite web|title= U.S. lawmaker blames Slovak government for ethnically motivated attacks on Hungarians|publisher=''International Herald Tribune''|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/05/europe/EU_GEN_Hungary_US_Slovakia.php|accessdate=2008-02-12}} </ref>
-In December 2007 (15 months after the beating) the Slovak police gave the video cassettes about the initial hearing of Hedvig to Roman Kvasnica, her lawyer. It turned out the police broke the law several times. They forgot to mention three police officers were also in the room throughout the hearing.<ref>{{cite web|title=The record of the interrogation of Hedvig Malina has been leaked out|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Origo''|url=http://www.origo.hu/nagyvilag/20071211-kiszivargott-a-felvetel-malina-hedvig-kihallgatasarol.html|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> The investigators stopped the recording sometimes. The hearing lasted for six hours, but the police recorded only five hours of it, released now only three hours of that recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Why were three policemen present at the hearing of Hedvig Malina?|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/mh5553/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. The police still doesn't search the ones who committed the [[hate crime]], only checks the credibility of the girl. Despite the police's early claims not one, but two cameras were used for the recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Video leaked out: what happened during the interrogation of Hedvig Malina?|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Hírszerző''|url=http://www.hirszerzo.hu/cikk.kiszivargott_kepsorok_mi_tortent_malina_hedvig_kihallgatasan.51649.html |accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. Hedvig is still accused of misleading the authority for which she may be sentenced to five years in prison.
+In December 2007 (15 months after the beating) the Slovak police gave the video cassettes about the initial hearing of Hedvig to Roman Kvasnica, her lawyer. It turned out the police broke the law several times. They forgot to mention three police officers were also in the room throughout the hearing.<ref>{{cite web|title=The record of the interrogation of Hedviga Malinová has been leaked out|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Origo''|url=http://www.origo.hu/nagyvilag/20071211-kiszivargott-a-felvetel-malina-hedvig-kihallgatasarol.html|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> The investigators stopped the recording sometimes. The hearing lasted for six hours, but the police recorded only five hours of it, released now only three hours of that recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Why were three policemen present at the hearing of Hedviga Malinová?|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Index''|url=http://index.hu/politika/kulfold/mh5553/|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. The police still doesn't search the ones who committed the [[hate crime]], only checks the credibility of the girl. Despite the police's early claims not one, but two cameras were used for the recording<ref>{{cite web|title=Video leaked out: what happened during the interrogation of Hedviga Malinová?|language=Hungarian|publisher=''Hírszerző''|url=http://www.hirszerzo.hu/cikk.kiszivargott_kepsorok_mi_tortent_malina_hedvig_kihallgatasan.51649.html |accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>. Hedvig is still accused of misleading the authority for which she may be sentenced to five years in prison.
 ==Conspiracy theories==
-Malina got into the centre of several conspiracy theories, which relate the case to the Slovak authorities or nationalists<ref name="Index"/><ref name="Radio">{{cite web|title=Hedviga as victim|publisher=''Slovak Radio International''|url=http://www.slovakradio.sk/inetportal/rsi/core.php?page=showSprava&id=3716&lang=2|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>.
+Malinová got into the centre of several conspiracy theories, which relate the case to the Slovak authorities or nationalists<ref name="Index"/><ref name="Radio">{{cite web|title=Hedviga as victim|publisher=''Slovak Radio International''|url=http://www.slovakradio.sk/inetportal/rsi/core.php?page=showSprava&id=3716&lang=2|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref>.
 Pravda daily and Radio Slovakia International comments the cause following: "The victim has become the guilty party, and the question now is whether or not she will be prosecuted herself. She's been a pawn in a political game from the very beginning." ... "Thanks to the overtime put in by Bela Bugar and his ethnic-Hungarian SMK party, Malinova appears to be the victim of 'Slovak extremism', and not of a 'Hungarian game.' At this stage, we can only forgive Hedviga, but not forget those who were standing behind her the whole time"<ref name="Radio"/>.