HQ News

In the recent past the Hungarian and the international media dealt quite a lot with a bodyguard, who was arrested in Gambia. In consideration of the facts that H.E. Colonel (RTD) Yahya A.J.J. JAMMEH - President of the Republic of The Gambia - is the Honorary Vice President of IBSSA for the African Continent, and that Mr. Imre GYÖRFI - Member of IBSSA - did business in Gambia in the field of security, Mr. Györfi was appointed Regional Representative of IBSSA for Gambia.

According to our information not long ago the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) arrested Mr. Imre GYÖRFI by a malicious accusation, which said that he had been in cahoots with the politicians of UDP opposition party. In his opinion his life was in danger. As His Excellency Prof. Dr. George POPPER - President of IBSSA became aware of this matter, he sent a fax message and asked for help from H.E. Colonel (RTD) Yahya A.J.J. JAMMEH - President of the Republic of The Gambia in order to make clear this case and to discharge Mr. Imre GYÖRFI. However no reply arrived to the fax message, Mr. Györfi was released - but his passport was taken away from him. Soon after the 2nd letter (sent by fax again) and because of the objection of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affaires Mr. Imre GYÖRFI got back his passport and he was allowed of leaving the country.

By this time the international and the Hungarian media (press, TV stations) already reported about the case in significant extent, and the following steps were taken by others in order to rescue and extricate Mr. Imre GYÖRFI:

1. The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affaires took the necessary diplomatic steps through its embassy in Nigeria
2. IBSSA contacted the President of Gambia (2 fax messages) and took measures to send Mr. Imtiaz Abdulla in the country if necessary
3. An international lawyer from the Batthyány Association in Austria was on his way to Gambia to defend Mr. Györfi
4. A Hungarian UN security volunteer (UNAMSIL) arrived to safeguard Mr. Györfi
5. The Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Association disclosed information, which proves that Mr. Imre GYÖRFI is innocent; he had no contacts with the opposition party. Mr. Deen - President of the Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Association stated, that the support given to some opposition politicians to leave Gambia was not organised by Mr. Györfi, but by the Mahatma Gandhi organisation!
6. Numerous IBSSA teams were set up (by Mr. János LAUB, and Dr. József POLYÁK) and they were ready to travel to Gambia at their own expense in order to help Mr. Imre GYÖRFI. But His Excellency Prof. Dr. George POPPER - President of IBSSA asked them to wait hoping the success of governmental and other international steps.

IBSSA also informed its Honorary members - exalted personages and asked for their help and support in any way.

As a result of a well-coordinated diplomatic and other actions Mr. Imre GYÖRFI - the Hungarian bodyguard, and IBSSA Representative was successfully escaped from Gambia. His first press conference was on the 27th May 2004 in Wien at Hotel Sacher, and now finally he arrived home.

We would like to express out thanks for the support and help to:

• H.E. Colonel (RTD) Yahya A.J.J. JAMMEH - President of the Republic of The Gambia
• Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affaires
• Batthyány Association
• Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Association
• Mr. Imtiaz ABDULLA
• Mr. Tony BROWN (USA) - Man of the Year 2003 in the USA, for his intervention in this case

And also many thanks for those people and other organisations, who helped or intended to help Mr. Imre GYÖRFI.

Budapest, 28th May 2004
IBSSA HQ