Background :  When Mike and Jason were extradited to Budapest, they were promised a phone call home on arrival, this did not happen.   So they asked to phone the British Consulate.  The Hungarian Police officer merely growled “No, they don’t want to speak to the likes of you!” They were held ‘incommunicado’.  It took the services of a Budapest Lawyer to find them and inform the British Consulate.   A spokesperson for the prison made a statement via Duna TV. Saying both men had been offered a phone call to their consulate but had declined!

THE PARCEL

After a long struggle we were told we could send a parcel; to provide some luxuries, toothpaste, soap, toilet roll etc.  We rushed off and paid for quickest delivery to Budapest- carefully checking the labelling was exactly right, prison rules (Must not get it wrong he would only be allowed 1 such parcel per month).

Mike was waiting anxiously for his parcel. They informed him it had arrived, he was elated, “But you are not having it”.  He was devastated. He was told the labelling was not right. He asked to speak to the British Consulate and again was refused. 

A very crushed Mike phoned home and asked if the British Consulate could be contacted on his behalf. 

After a chain of calls via the Foreign and Commonwealth office, we now believe it should be re-delivered to the prison – we await with interest.

They stopped him phoning the British Consulate because they knew the Embassy would intervene.  We complained on Mike’s behalf to the British Consulate that he had again been denied his right to contact the consulate in Budapest.

THE PRISON RESPONSE

Mike couldn’t phone the consulate because he had no money on his phone card (so, how had he managed to make an international call to complain about it)

The Hungarian Authorities were reminded that calling the Consulate was a right and not a privilege.  They replied that they had a card for emergencies but they did not consider phoning about a parcel was a emergency.

They miss the point; these calls should not be dependent on the value judgements of the captors.  Reasons given for wanting to call, maybe disguised due to fear of reprisals.  These are mandatory and important rights. These are very frightened and scared young men who are locked up 23 hours  a day with people who do not speak their language . They are not sure of the rules and have no way of finding out.

The Hungarian Authorities have been caught out, being deliberately  dishonest .  What chance of a fair trial? Especially with no Jury !