Prosecution of the “Executioner” – A Late Criminal Proceeding Was Initiated Due to the Execution of Parish Priest Ferenc Wolmuth

Abstract

The criminal liability of the functionaries of the Hungarian Soviet Republic was examined in the proceedings that began after the fall of the Commune. The most serious charges were murders classified as red terror. During the time of the left-wing dictatorship that came back to power, the procedures were criticized by many, and they were classified by many as white terror. The essential question of the evaluation is whether the Soviet Republic had statehood, and thus its functionaries had procedural rights. The judgment of many lawsuits essentially depends on this question. However, the execution of the imperial parish priest can still be evaluated as excessive; even if Ferenc Wolmuth had committed something, his deed would not have been punishable by death under any legal system. Four of his murderers were already convicted and executed at the beginning of 1920. However, János Novoszád hid until 1931, and only then was he brought to court. Examining late case provides several lessons regarding the relevant jurisprudence.

Keywords

• red terror
• soviet republic
• priest murder
• political crime trial
• 1919