MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Hungary serves as a flashpoint for tens of thousands migrants fleeing crises-ridden homes in North Africa and the Middle East. Prime Minister Viktor Orban said earlier nearly 3,300 refugees had arrived in Hungary on Saturday alone.
Orban appointed Simicsko Istvan acting defense minister.
Hungary, a transit country for migrants seeking refuge in more affluent EU member states, estimated over 156,000 undocumented migrants had arrived in the country so far this year.
Its parliament adopted a series of restrictive measures last week, imposing prison terms for illegally crossing its borders and damaging property, including the recently constructed border fence. The measure also allows the deployment of armed forces to contain a potential crisis.
