ROME – The Italian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Hungarian ambassador for strong questioning after footage emerged of Italian citizen, Ilaria Salis, being dragged into a Budapest court by chains with cuffs on her arms and legs.

 Salis, a 39-year-old teacher, was detained Feb 11 2023 for allegedly participating in clashes against neo-Nazis in Budapest. She allegedly attacked two of the neo-Nazis who were taking part in a commemorative SS march, leaving them with minor injuries.

 She has already spent 11 months detained in conditions that the International Association of Democratic Lawyers described as “inhumane and degrading.” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has spoken out, asking for “dignified treatment” of Italian citizens in Hungarian prison.

 Her father, Roberto Salis, met with the Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, to discuss his daughter’s detention, saying that she “has been treated like an animal.” He also hit out at politicians and journalists, telling them to stop discussing whether she is guilty or not but instead to focus on the “shameful violation of civil rights.”

 He has also hit out at the Italian embassy in Hungary, saying they "knew" that his daughter would be appearing in chains and were aware of the conditions she was detained in. 

 Ilaria Salis previously wrote an 18-page letter, detailing the conditions she has been subject to while in Budapest, including only being allowed outside for one hour a day.

 Salis plead not guilty and said, “there is no evidence.” Her lawyers argued that it is impossible to clearly see the CCTV footage and that the Hungarian courts failed to translate documents into Italian or English, leaving Salis unaware of the crimes for which she was answering.

 The Hungarian prosecutors have asked for 11 years in prison, with the trial being adjourned to May 24.

 The Italian ambassador in Hungary is also currently protesting to Hungarian authorities.