Dr Ágnes Geréb Update (August 2018)

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AIMS Journal, 2018, Vol 30, No 3

Nearly 8 years after her arrest and imprisonment of 5th October 2010, Dr Ágnes Geréb had her 2-year prison sentence (of February 2012) finally set aside by the partial clemency granted by Hungarian President, János Áder, on 28th June 2018. Confirmation has now come through that her 10-year work suspension has been calculated to end in February 2022, when she will be nearly 70 years of age. Fortunately, one of the benefits of the partial clemency is her right to secure a passport once again. However, her criminal status remains on record and she is obliged to pay the legal costs incurred by the State Prosecution Service in conducting their case against her.

Going forward it is both early and difficult to say what moves, if any, Ágnes may or can make with regard to securing an earlier return to her professional work. Or, indeed, how she would propose to deal with the legal costs facing her. Returning to her professional work arena currently remains a clear aim of hers. Whether she will have recourse to legal avenues in this regard still needs to be assessed. And, even if they exist, it may ultimately be considered more beneficial to pursue the matter through informal channels with the relevant Hungarian authorities. Equally, should Ágnes, her family and her advisers consider that there is a place for the international community to help in any matters, including erasing the burden of legal costs upon her then, of course, I would immediately reflect this back.

Meantime, Ágnes would like to thank AIMS and all AIMS supporters for their truly great support throughout this exceptionally long and challenging journey. She has remained remarkably strong and purposeful in her life and I expect this will continue to be the case.

Donal Kerry
International Spokesperson Campaign for Justice for Dr Ágnes Geréb
10th August 2018