Zentai arrested in Australia; facing extradition proceedings

A Hungarian-born Australian has been arrested in response to an extradition request to face trial for the 1944 murder of a Jew in Budapest. Nervous and appearing shaken, Charles Zentai, 83, was taken by Australian federal police to face a specially convened court in Perth. In 1948, a Budapest court issued an arrest warrant for Zentai for his alleged role in the murder of Peter Balazs, 18. But Zentai has never been tried for the crime, having fled to the American-controlled zone in Germany. In 1950, he sailed for Australia where he claimed refugee status. However, in March 2005, the Hungarian government issued a request for Zentai’s extradition to face trial, and the Australian Justice minister last week gave permission for court proceedings to begin.