Brief
Hungarian court cuts German anti‑fascist activist's sentence to seven years
The sentence was lowered from eight to seven years, prompting mixed reactions from the activist’s family and human‑rights groups.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A Hungarian appeals court on 30 September reduced the prison term of a German anti‑fascist activist, identified only as Maja T., from eight to seven years for assaults at a far‑right rally in Budapest in February 2023.
What happened
The original eight‑year verdict was handed down by a lower court in February 2023. Both prosecution and defence appealed; the prosecution sought 14 years while the defence asked for acquittal. The appeals court re‑characterised Maja T. as an accomplice rather than a perpetrator in one count and removed the charge of belonging to a criminal organisation.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that Maja T. was among more than a dozen activists who attacked participants at the “Day of Honor”, one of Europe’s largest neo‑Nazi rallies. After being arrested in Berlin, Maja T. was extradited to Hungary in December 2024. Germany’s Constitutional Court later ruled the extradition unlawful, citing risk of inhumane treatment.
What was said
Wolfram Jarosch, the activist’s father, told the Associated Press that he was “personally very disappointed” and described the seven‑year term as “extremely long” and “depressing” for his daughter. He also claimed his daughter endured “very undignified detention”, including solitary confinement, which Hungarian authorities denied.
How it came about
The case follows Hungary’s recent tightening of anti‑fascist legislation, with former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán designating antifa as a terrorist organisation last year. Earlier Felo coverage linked rising far‑right activity in Europe to political shifts, such as the AfD’s surge in Berlin polls (AfD Berlin polls).
Key facts
- Hungarian appeals court reduced sentence to seven years (independent.co.uk)
- Original sentence was eight years, handed down in February 2023 (independent.co.uk)
- Activist identified as Maja T. was extradited from Germany in December 2024 (independent.co.uk)
- Germany’s Constitutional Court ruled the extradition unlawful (independent.co.uk)
- Father Wolfram Jarosch criticised the verdict and detention conditions (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Hungarian court reduces sentence for German anti-fascist convicted in far-right rally assaults”
