Danish police have asked Hungarian authorities to extradite a 22-year-old man suspected in the case of a 15-year-old girl from Hedensted who was found in Hungary. Hungary will only hand him over if Denmark guarantees that any sentence is served in his home country.
Southeast Jutland Police, Sydøstjyllands Politi, confirmed the extradition request in a status update on Wednesday. Vice Police Inspector Christian Skyt told DR that a separate legal process is underway. For that reason, police cannot say when a transfer might take place.
According to DR, the Hungarian court system confirmed on Tuesday that the 22-year-old has been remanded in custody. Police suspect him of establishing a relationship with the Danish teenager in order to commit sexual offenses against her later. He was charged at a court hearing in Horsens on Friday.
The exact wording of the charges cannot be reported, as the court has imposed a reporting ban. Police declined to elaborate on the allegations on Wednesday. They also would not say whether investigators suspect any accomplices.
Girl taken to Hungary on August 4
Per information from Hungarian police cited by DR, the suspect met the girl through social media and manipulated her because of her young age and lack of experience. Hungarian authorities state that she was driven from Denmark to Hungary on August 4. She was located two days later.
The 15-year-old was reunited with her family on Sunday, August 10. Southeast Jutland Police would not say whether she has been interviewed at this stage. Skyt said such a step would be a natural part of the investigation.
Asked whether police have established a clearer sequence of events, Skyt said the task is to map all the pieces, the movements involved and the motive. He said he could not provide further detail at this point. Investigators are using standard methods, including physical and digital traces and interviews.
Skyt added that police are pleased the girl has been found and returned to her family. The force has otherwise kept details of the case tightly held while the investigation continues.
August 21 deadline for guarantees
The Hungarian statement issued Tuesday, as reported by DR, sets a condition for any handover. The man will only be extradited if Danish authorities guarantee that any prison term would be served in his home country rather than in Denmark.
Danish authorities have until August 21 to provide those guarantees, according to DR. The outlet reports that the case remains under investigation by Southeast Jutland Police. No date has been set for a possible transfer to Denmark.
