Socialists stand up for former minister under arrest

Budapest, July 2 (MTI) - The main opposition Socialist Party stands up for Gyorgy Szilvasy, believes that he is innocent and expresses solidarity with the former minister in charge of the secret services during the Gyurcsany government, Socialist leader Attila Mesterhazy said on Saturday.

The Socialists continue to stand up for all those people who are subject to "political showdown started by the Fidesz government," Mesterhazy said after Saturday s party board meeting.

"We have a strong feeling that the prime minister pursues a purposeful witch-hunt," Mesterhazy said. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has apparently said that as soon as Hungary s European Union presidency is over, the government can start the showdown, he added.

This is a "political game" intended to distract public attention from austerity measures, Mesterhazy said.

He added that Szilvasy was a Socialist Party member but did not have a position in the party.

Former Socialist Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said on Facebook earlier on Saturday that he had been informed by Szilvasy s family that the former minister is suspected of criminal activities against the state.

News channel Hir TV reported on Friday evening that a house search had been carried out at the home of Szilvasy. According to Hir TV, the house search was connected to a statement by Lajos Galambos, former chief director of the National Security Office (NBH) who was under house arrest on espionage charges.

News portals hvg.hu and hirszerzo.hu reported on Friday that Szilvasy had been arrested.

Szilvasy was appointed minister in charge of the secret services in June 2007, serving as a member of Gyurcsany s government. His tenure ended when Gyurcsany was succeeded by Gordon Bajnai in 2009.