Salis, who had originally been escorted by authorities to face a judge at the Capital Court of Budapest on January 29, became the subject of media outcry in Italy after images of her in handcuffs emerged, eventually compelling discussions between Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and their Italian counterparts. Remarkably, Salis’s detention conditions were also exposed to the press following complaints from one of her former cellmates about the deplorable state of her cell.

Further spotlight was cast on the trial as Laura Boldrini, former President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, attended, and, according to Italian media reports, a multiparty group of Italian parliamentarians also made a trip to Budapest. Several Italian politicians have publicly voiced their opinions on the case.

Antonio Tajani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, suggested that the precautionary measures against Salis might have been unnecessary as she posed no flight risk, although he warned against politicizing the case.

However, Matteo Renzi, a former Prime Minister of Italy, had a much more stringent critique directed at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Renzi expressed his disapproval on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "It's unacceptable how an Italian citizen is treated in Hungary. Giorgia Meloni needs to demonstrate true patriotism and explain to Viktor Orbán that Hungary must either respect the rule of law or not receive a single euro from Italian taxpayers. The differences in ideals between Meloni and Salis are irrelevant: the Italian government must work for its citizens."

He then urged Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to take action, asking, "Madam Meloni, make your voice heard! Are we being governed by the Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) or subjects of Hungary?"

Other voices from the Italian opposition, including Debora Serracchiani, remarked that the treatment of Salis exemplifies the arrogance directed towards Italy and legal systems that respect human rights by Viktor Orbán.

"This isn't a chapter of Italian domestic politics; it's a matter that concerns international relations. Meloni should reject this outright provocation, this insult coming directly from Budapest to Rome," asserted Serracchiani.

Meanwhile, according to reports from La Repubblica, the center-left Democratic Party is considering nominating Ilaria Salis as a candidate in the European Parliament elections.

Background: Budapest saw the start of a horrifying series of attacks in February of last year, beginning with an incident on February 9th in the city's downtown area of Fővám Square, where a group of seven to eight individuals assaulted three Polish nationals, striking them with nunchucks and other weapons. This event marked the beginning of a spree of violence that included several other attacks over the following days. Authorities have been investigating the incidents, which appear to be targeted and premeditated. The leader of the so-called Hammer Gang involved in these attacks is also wanted by German authorities for attempted murder.