An 84-year-old Australian man accused of killing a Jew in Hungary during World War II will likely be extradited to Hungary. Hungary?s Foreign Ministry suspects that Charles Zentai killed Peter Balazs in Budapest for failing to wear a yellow star identifying him as a Jew, The Associated Press reported. The killing allegedly occurred in 1944, the Simon Wiesenthal Center said, when Zentai tortured and fatally beat Balazs, who was 18 at the time, in an army barrack. Zentai, who immigrated to Australia in 1950, denies the allegations. An Australian court refused to block the extradition Wednesday, rejecting a request by Zentai?s attorney that it be delayed until Australia?s high court hears his appeal. The Perth Magistrates Court ordered Zentai to reappear in early August.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
