Village Mayor Sends Message to Refugees: Hungary Is a Bad Choice

Mayor László Toroczkai of Asotthalom, a village in south Hungary, sent a message to “illegal immigrants” in a video published on September 16. His bottom line? Hungary is a bad choice. And Asotthalom is the worst.

The footage was released one day after Hungarian authorities closed border crossings with Serbia at Roszke and Asotthalom. In the video, which resembles an action movie, Toroczkai aims to deter refugees from crossing the border illegally.

“From today, September 15, in Hungary crossing the border illegally is a crime,” Toroczkai says as the video pans to what appears to be surveillance cameras.

“From now on, the borders of Hungary are protected by a fence that is continuously being built by thousands of policemen and by the Hungarian army. On the territory of Asotthalom they are supported by the militant field guards and civil guards.”

The video pictures sweeping drone footage of the razor-wire fence at the Serbia-Hungary border, before transitioning into a dramatic montage of Hungarian authorities on motorcycles, cars, and horses, seemingly in hot pursuit of refugees. Credit: YouTube/HVIM1920