No charges against Hungary sludge factory boss

A judge has dismissed prosecution demands that the head of a metals company linked to Hungary's devastating red sludge spill be charged with negligence and he has been released from police custody, his lawyer said today.

Appearing after the closed court hearing reviewing the case, Zoltan Bakonyi's lawyer, Janos Banati, said the judge ruled in his favour after finding that prosecutors could not substantiate their argument that Mr Bakonyi did not sufficiently prepare emergency warning and rescue plans in case of accidents like the sludge spill.