Penal code to be stricter, says Fidesz lawmaker

Hungary's planned new penal code currently being debated in parliament aims to be more stringent, a lawmaker of the ruling Fidesz party told a news conference on Wednesday. Ferenc Papcsak said that a stricter new code also answered to a strong call by the public. Among the rules planned, Papcsak noted lowering the age criminal responsibility from 14 to 12 years of age in the categories of premeditated homicide, voluntary manslaughter and bodily harm leading to death or resulting in life threatening injuries.