Ilaria Salis, a 39-year-old Italian teacher, will remain incarcerated in Hungary after a judge rejected her attorney’s plea for house arrest. Salis stands accused of participating in a serious assault on two far-right militants by a group of anti-fascist activists in Budapest last February. Despite pleading not guilty during a January hearing, prosecutors are seeking an 11-year sentence against her.
During a recent court appearance in Budapest, Salis’ attorney sought her release into house arrest, either in Italy or Hungary. However, Judge Jozsef Sos denied the request, citing concerns of potential flight or evasion. Salis is now slated for her next hearing on May 24.
The case has drawn attention from Italian authorities, with Italy lodging a protest to Hungarian officials over Salis’ treatment. Photos of her appearing in court in shackles made headlines in Italy, prompting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to address the matter with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Meloni has advocated for a swift trial for Salis and other activists detained in Hungary.
