Hundreds of people have protested in several German cities against the verdict in the case of non-binary person Maja T. in Hungary. The demonstrations demand their return to Germany for a fair trial. Politicians criticize the process as politically influenced.
The Budapest City Court sentenced the 25-year-old non-binary person Maja T. from Germany's left-wing scene to eight years in prison. Judge József Sós deemed their involvement in bloody attacks on suspected right-wing extremists in Budapest from February 9 to 11, 2023, proven. About 20 suspected left-wing extremists injured nine people, four seriously, using telescopic batons, rubber hammers, and pepper spray. The attacks targeted participants in the 'Day of Honour,' a tolerated SS commemoration.
Evidence relied mainly on security camera footage; there were no witness statements or DNA traces. The prosecution demanded 24 years, the defense an acquittal. The verdict is not final and not probationary. Maja T. was arrested in Berlin in December 2023 and extradited in June 2024, which the German Constitutional Court ruled unlawful.
Hundreds protested against the verdict in Berlin (550 participants, rally in Kreuzberg, march to Friedrichshain, isolated pyrotechnics), Leipzig (500), Hamburg, Dresden, Erfurt, Freiburg, Nuremberg, Kiel, and Potsdam. The demonstrators demand extradition back to Germany for a rule-of-law trial.
German politicians from the Left, Greens, and SPD doubt the fairness. Martin Schirdewan called it 'a political show trial.' René Repasi saw propaganda ahead of Hungary's April 12 election. Helge Lindberg demanded quick return, as no fair trial is possible under Viktor Orbán. Orbán had demanded harsh punishments and classified Antifa as a terror group. The AfD welcomed the verdict.
The Foreign Office is dealing with the case at a high level. Both sides will appeal. In Düsseldorf, the verdict caused a tumult in a trial against left-wing extremists: Spectators chanted 'We are Antifa!' and wore 'Free Maja' shirts, interrupting the hearing.
The case is linked to the 'Hammer Gang' or 'Antifa-East,' whose alleged leader Johann G. planned the attacks. Trials are also ongoing in Germany.
