A tragic incident in Budapest has sparked outrage in Japan following the death of a Japanese woman, identified as Megumi, whose body was discovered in a burned-out flat on January 29. The 43-year-old's death was initially ruled accidental by police, attributing the fire to a cigarette igniting her bed. However, friends of Megumi contested this conclusion, highlighting that she did not smoke. Further investigations revealed signs of domestic abuse through an autopsy, leading to renewed scrutiny of the case and criticism towards both Hungarian authorities and Japanese diplomats.
Megumi's former husband, an Irish national, had visited the flat earlier on the day of the incident to see their two children, a 10-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter. He later reported the fire to the police. The Hungarian Conservative magazine reported extensively on the case, criticizing the police's initial handling and their failure to adequately respond to Megumi's prior complaints about domestic abuse.
The case has been reopened after the autopsy results contradicted initial findings. This decision came amidst growing criticism from both the public and officials. Five police officers faced disciplinary action for their mishandling of Megumi's complaints, a move underscored by an apology from Kristof Gal, a police spokesman in Budapest.
Japanese diplomats found themselves under scrutiny as well, with critics arguing they did not adequately protect Megumi or address her safety concerns. In Japan, the case has incited widespread outrage, prompting calls for accountability and justice for the victim.
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