Enhanced security at Hungarian courts

Article, 18.08.2015

Switzerland is improving security at Hungarian courts all over the country with a contribution of CHF 4.2 million. Security checks at the entrances to courthouses are now state of the art, with 104 new walk-through metal detectors and 45 X-ray scanners. Innovative IT solutions now also allow secure and reliable electronic access to court files and central databases.

State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen in front of a walk-through metal detector
In May 2015 State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen visited the Regional Court in Budapest, and experienced the quality of the new security controls for herself. SECO

In recent years there have been around 150 bomb threats at courts around Hungary and more than 20,000 dangerous items confiscated annually. In order to improve the security situation, Switzerland is contributing to modern security controls at entrances and improved data security at the Supreme Court (the Curia), at five courts of appeal and at 20 regional courts. In July, the head of the Swiss representation in Hungary, together with a Swiss expert, tested the new devices at Szombathely Regional Court and expressed his satisfaction with the project's implementation. Back in May, a Swiss delegation, including State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen, visited the Regional Court in Budapest.

This completed the fulfilment of all of the objectives of the original project. Thanks to the strong Swiss franc, money is still left over for the project. This will, among other things, allow more metal detectors and X-ray scanners to be purchased, thereby enhancing security in the Hungarian courts even further than originally expected.