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(CNN)A senior member of the European Parliament from Hungary's
ruling Fidesz party has resigned after he admitted to breaching
Belgium's coronavirus lockdown to attend a private gathering
described by national media as a "sex party."
József Szŕjer said in a statement that he was "present" at the
"private party," where police found about 20 people, including
diplomats.
According to Sarah Durant, the spokeswoman for the Brussels'
public prosecutor's office, police were called to an apartment
above a bar in the historic city center at 9:30 p.m. last Friday
after neighbors "complained of nighttime noise and potential
violations of measures linked to the COVID-19 pandemic."
Officers found about 20 people at the apartment, two of whom,
aged 43 and 33, claimed diplomatic immunity, Durrant said.
During police checks, "a passer-by reported to police that he
had seen a man flee down the drainpipe," Durrant explained.
"The man's hands were bloody. It is possible that he may have
been injured while fleeing. Narcotics were found in his
backpack. The man was unable to produce any identity documents.
He was escorted to his place of residence, where he identified
himself on the basis of a diplomatic passport as S.J. (1961)."
The prosecutor's office said the 59-year-old Hungarian MEP was
being investigated over possession of narcotics. "The procedure
is ongoing.
Criminal proceedings could only be brought after the waiver of
the diplomatic or parliamentary immunity of the above-mentioned
persons by the competent authorities."
Szŕjer has denied taking drugs, and said he "deeply" regretted
breaking Covid-19 restrictions. "I offered the police to make an
instant test, but they did not do it. According to the police
they found an ecstasy pill, but it was not mine, I have no
knowledge who and how it (was) placed," he said.
The gathering, a few meters (yards) from the Brussels Central
Police station, broke Belgium's lockdown restrictions, which
include an evening curfew and a cap on indoor gatherings to four
people.
Official reports were drawn up for those who broke Covid-19
measures. The standard fine for breaking coronavirus
restrictions is 250 euros (about $300).
"I deeply regret for violating the COVID restrictions, it was
irresponsible on my part. I am ready to stand for the fine that
occurs," said Szŕjer.
The politician apologized to his family, colleagues and voters
and asked them "to evaluate my misstep on the background of
thirty years of devotion and hard work."
"The misstep is strictly personal," he added. "I am the only one
who owes responsibility for it. I ask everyone not to extend it
to my homeland, or to my political community."
Szájer is a founding member of Hungary's ruling Fidesz party,
led by nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and also one of
the co-authors of the country's controversial constitution in
2010 that defined marriage as being solely between a man and a
woman.
Recently, Fidesz has expressed anti-gay views and has voiced
strong opposition to worldwide rights for women, girls and LGBTQ
people.
Szájer was the head of the Fidesz delegation in the European
Parliament and a sat on the Parliament's foreign affairs
committee.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/01/europe/hungarian-mep-lockdown- party-brussels-intl/index.html
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