A senior MEP from Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party admitted Tuesday that he took part in a “lockdown party” — described by local media as “an orgy” — that was broken up by Brussels police.
József Szájer said in a statement that he was “present” at the “private party” — at which, according to the Belgian press, police found 25 naked men, including an MEP and a number of diplomats.
According to a press release from the public prosecutor’s office, “A passer-by reported to the police that he had seen a man fleeing along the gutter; he was able to identify the man. The man’s hands were bloody. It is possible that he may have been injured while fleeing. Narcotics were found in his backpack. The man was unable to produce any identity documents. He was escorted to his place of residence, where he identified himself as S. J. (1961) by means of a diplomatic passport.”
Szájer said police gave him “an official verbal warning” and took him home. He said he had not taken drugs and added that he was “sorry” and that he “deeply” regretted breaking COVID restrictions: “It was irresponsible on my part. I am ready to stand for the fine that occurs.”
The Hungarian, a long-serving member of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s party, resigned as an MEP on Sunday. He said in his statement Tuesday that his “misstep” was “strictly personal” and added, “I ask everyone not to extend it to my homeland, or to my political community.”
An official close to the investigation said officers were called after “a legal complaint for night-time disturbance” was lodged about a “lockdown party” in an apartment on Friday night in the center of Brussels.
Belgium announced a second lockdown last month, with a curfew in place and gatherings of more than four people not allowed.
Szájer is a senior member of Fidesz who helped draft the country’s constitution. He served as head of the Fidesz delegation in the European Parliament and a member of the assembly’s foreign affairs committee.
The Hungarian government has cracked down on LGBTQI rights and last week, along with Poland, voiced strong opposition to a gender equality plan for EU foreign policy that seeks to bolster women’s, girls’ and LGBTQI rights worldwide by “challenging gender norms and stereotypes.”
This article has been updated.