My expertise in Hungarian criminal law has once again been sought by the international English-language media. This time, I was contacted by the Irish news publication The Journal in connection with a widely reported homicide case in Budapest involving an Irish national.
The case concerned the killing of Mackenzie Elizabeth Michalski, a 31-year-old American nurse, in Budapest in November 2024. In July 2026, a Hungarian court found the Irish defendant guilty of murder at first instance and sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment. The defence indicated that it would appeal the judgment. (TheJournal.ie)
Why did the Hungarian media not publish the defendant’s name?
Although the criminal proceedings had received considerable attention in Hungary, most Hungarian media reports identified the defendant only by his initials. By contrast, several Irish news organisations subsequently published his full name.
The Journal therefore approached Hungarian legal experts to clarify why the Hungarian press had generally refrained from identifying the defendant and whether Hungarian law prohibited the publication of the name of a suspect or convicted person.
I was contacted as an independent Hungarian criminal lawyer to explain the relevant legal framework and the considerations that influence media practice in Hungary.
My legal assessment
I explained that Hungarian law does not contain a general statutory provision expressly prohibiting the media from publishing the name of a person involved in criminal proceedings or of a person who has been convicted.
At the same time, the absence of an express prohibition does not mean that a person’s identity may automatically be published in every case. Hungarian media organisations must also take account of the protection of personality rights and reputation under the Hungarian Civil Code. These considerations encourage journalists and publishers to proceed cautiously when identifying individuals in connection with criminal proceedings.
I also emphasised that the justification for publishing a person’s name always depends on the specific circumstances of the case. As a general rule, identifying a public figure, such as a politician, may be more readily justified because of the stronger public interest involved. Nevertheless, even in such cases, disclosure cannot be assessed mechanically: the competing rights and interests must be evaluated individually. (TheJournal.ie)
The legal issue was therefore not whether Hungarian law imposed an absolute prohibition, but whether publication of the defendant’s identity could be justified in the particular circumstances, having regard to the public interest and the individual’s personality rights.
Cross-border criminal cases require local legal knowledge
The media coverage also demonstrated how different legal traditions and journalistic conventions can influence the reporting of the same criminal case.
A reporting practice that appears unusual to an Irish, British or American reader may reflect the more cautious approach traditionally followed by Hungarian media organisations. Understanding these differences requires more than a literal reading of the legislation. It also requires knowledge of Hungarian legal practice, media conventions and the practical application of personality rights.
These issues frequently arise in criminal proceedings involving foreign nationals. Foreign defendants, victims, family members, journalists and lawyers may all encounter procedural rules and institutional practices that differ substantially from those in their own countries.
My work as a Budapest-based criminal defence lawyer regularly involves cases with an international dimension, including proceedings against foreign nationals, cross-border investigations, extradition and European Arrest Warrant cases, as well as cooperation with foreign lawyers, consular authorities and international media organisations.
Recognition by the international media
Being approached by an established foreign news organisation reflects the importance of providing accurate, independent and accessible explanations of Hungarian criminal law to an international audience.
In high-profile criminal cases, legal commentary must remain precise and professionally balanced. It is essential to distinguish between the facts established by the courts, the procedural status of the case, the rights of the persons involved and the legitimate interest of the public in receiving information.
My contribution to The Journal formed part of its article entitled “An Irishman was convicted of murder in Budapest, but Hungarian media didn’t name him. Why?”, published on 14 July 2026.
The full article is available on The Journal’s website.
You can read my articles about Hungarian Criminal Law here
