Background

Posted by Admin on 10/29/2009 12:38 PM | Comments (14)

Michael Turner (27) and Jason McGoldrick (37) are two hard working, tax paying, law abiding citizens of the UK. Neither have ever been in trouble with the police.

They have been extradited to Budapest to stand trial for fraud in Hungary.

They invested £100,000 in Hungary to set up a business in central Europes post socialist emerging markets. Due to difficult trading conditions the business folded, leaving creditor's to the sum of approximately 5.6 million Hungarian Forints (approx £18,000). Five years later, the Hungarian authorities decided to turn these creditor's into `victims`.

When Michael and Jason invested their time and money, Hungary was not even a member of the European community.

After joining and signing up to the 2003 European extradition treaty, they have issued a warrant for Michael and Jason to be extradited to Budapest accused of fraud.

The British justice system has rubber stamped this warrant even though it was not completed properly. They say they have to go along with it, because European politicians have directed them to fully co-operate and not to worry about details!

Michael and Jason's lawyers are convinced that in England it would be easy to show their innocence, but doubt that there is any chance of a fair trial in Hungary.

This blog will follow the process and keep you posted. 2009-10-30

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THE PARCELBackground : When Mike and Jason were extradited to Budapest, they were promised a phone call ...

Comments

keep your chins up boys don't let them get you down.

Take care.

Juliexx

What a farce!!! If there's anything I can do to help just let me know. Best of luck for next week,will be rooting for you both.

This really shouldn't be happening, we are all behind you and will be thinking of you whilst your out there, the systems stinks, Good Luck to you both and hope your back very soon x

Hope this gets sorted out as soon as possible and you are back home with your families, where you should be. You have our support and we will be thinking of you. Lots of Love xx

this makes less sense than tinned all-day-breakfasts.
look at Mikeys face for gods sake, he couldn't steal a penny-sweet, let alone commit fraud.
here to help in anyway possible.
xoxox

What a farcial disgrace. This should not be happening.
These men are innocent of all crime.
What has happened to proper justice????

Clearly if cases like this become widely publicised inward investment into such countries will plummet. If countries like this do not have the foresight to see the long term damage such cases can cause their economy then they do not deserve to be part of the wider European economy. Whichever country businesses operate in there is always a degree of risk, risk is part of a healthy business community. How will investors feel safe in putting money into an economy where they are at direct risk of prosecution merely for the failure of their business.

Jason and Mike lost all of their £100,000 investment and, from what I understand, have made representation to fulfil their obligations as creditors in repaying the £18,000 to claimants, not an obligation met by many bankruptees in the UK (and a small price to pay for their liberty).

I for one will be following and supporting fully this campaign for justice if not common sense!

hope this is sorted out very soon, thinking of u both and wishing u a speedy return xx

Hoping things all get sorted bro!! This isn't right and we'll do all we can to help
All the best

I am deeply hurt by our goverment allowing this to happen to British citizens. Mark and Lorise thinking of you both knowing how much you are hurting. All the the best to the boys.

I feel that countries joining the EU should go through a long probationary period before being let loose on European law. Hungary in treating Jason and Mike in this medieval fashion show that Hungary should have stuck to the plough rather than being given the keys to the tractor.

European law is too sophisticated for such countries who pick 'n mix between domestic and European legislation as the mood suits.

That aside, the fundamental concept of innocence before proven guilt, should at least have resulted in Hungary treating Jason and Mike with care and consideration. The disdain and disrespect shown towards Jason and Mike is not just an insult to them. It is contemptuous rebuff to both this country and the rest of Europe.

Like many others, I feel that this affair will result in serious damage to Hungary's credibility as a viable and ongoing member of our European Community unless Hungary is seen to sort out this fiasco immediately.

So, should the Hungarian nation stand in line to give Michael and Jason a loud applause?

"Due to difficult trading conditions..."
"the Hungarian authorities decided to turn these creditors into `victims`..."

All we're missing are the facts. Pardon me, there is one fact: 5,6 million HUF are missing.

Now I take no joy in knowing that these two young British men are in Hungarian jail. But to turn this into a bashing contest against Hungary, it's a bit too much.

What have the boys done in the past 5 years to pay their creditors? And if they were victims, why haven't they contacted the police? Or did they just think, whoa, look, we have no extradition treaty with Hungary, why don't we just go home and forget about our failed business?

We're not having a go at the hungarian people themselves just there justice system or lack of it which is down to your goverment, we know there alot of good people in Hungary, but here's another fact for you Iron Maiden what about your ex deputy major of Budapest's District X (Kőbánya)that was sentenced to 2 yrs after pleading guilty to a bribery case 4yrs ago for Ft 17 million and he is yet to spend a single day behind bars,these guy's haven't even been charged with any crime! They also didn't just forget about it all they have offered to pay any creditors that are outstanding but your goverment will not allow them to do this instead they abused the treaty which was set up for serious crime and used it as a debt collection tool and have failed to upstand to the human rights act that they signed up for. Our problem is with the Hungarian Goverment not the people of Hungary themselves

Iron Maiden....
  You clearly have little understanding of a free market economy.
  They ran a limited liability company. When the busines folded they were the greatest creditors.
They dont complain, because they understand, only too well, the risks of a capitalist market economy.  However, I`ve no doubt, you`re living in and enjoying one.  You should think carefully you criticise those who risk everything, so that you can prosper.  However, your comments are noted and welcomed.
  It is not the intention of this site to upset Hungarian people, merely to raise standards by open debate.

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