Budapest's Red Terror: Hollán Family Murder Marks Dark Chapter in City's History
Budapest, the capital city of Europe, was shaken by a series of violent events in 1919, culminating in the brutal murder of the Holláns, a prominent family, by a communist terror squad led by Andor Endre László and Sándor Mészáros. The incident, known as the Red Terror in District I, began on the night of 22-23 April and marked a dark chapter in the city's history.
The Holláns, Sándor Sr and Sándor Jr, were targeted due to their social status, with some suggesting that László had personal grievances. The 'counter-revolution' in Buda, which broke out on 22 June, was sparked by an incident connected to a Corpus Christi procession. The Workers' Council had discussed the possibility of such an uprising, with members warning about the dangerous situation but no action was taken.
The terror squad, led by László and Mészáros, abducted and killed the Holláns. A memorial plaque was later erected in their honour but was destroyed and stolen. The housekeeper, József Karsai, was known to have incited against the family before the murders. The trial of László and Mészáros followed, with Mészáros sentenced to death and executed in December 1919. The collection of weapons was a recurring topic at the Workers' Council meetings due to fears of further 'counter-revolution' in Buda. During the demonstrations, Artur Dénes was fatally shot by a Red Guard, uttering his last words, 'I die for my homeland.'
The Red Terror in District I of Budapest ended with the fall of the Hungarian Soviet Republic in August 1919. The murders of the Holláns and the subsequent events highlighted the political tensions and violence that gripped the city during this period. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of extremism and the importance of peaceful resolution in political disputes.
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