Issuance of Hungarian passports to Ukrainians in Berehove investigated as high treason
The criminal case over the issuance of Hungarian passports to Ukrainian citizens in Berehove, Zakarpattia region, is being investigated under the article on high treason, Zakarpattia Regional Prosecutor's Office has told Interfax-Ukraine.
"The information was included in the single register of pretrial investigations under Part 1, Article 111 of the Criminal Code (high treason). This is a preliminary legal qualification," the press service of the regional prosecutor's office reported on Friday.
"The information was included in the single register of pretrial investigations after reports in the media that Ukrainian citizens committed actions aimed at harming the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," reads the statement.
Ukrainian media earlier reported information about the issuance of Hungarian passports to Ukrainian citizens at the Hungarian consulate in Berehove in Zakarpattia region. A video clip was published showing persons taking an oath calling Hungary their homeland, as well as pledging to serve the country. Media said Hungarian diplomats urged those gathered not to inform Ukrainian state agencies that they obtained Hungarian citizenship.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin discussed the issue with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó in the United States on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
Klimkin said they discussed in detail what is happening at the Hungarian consulate in Berehove, but Szijjártó disagreed about violations committed by the Hungarian consul.