N oh that Judgment against Maja T. in Hungary we could discuss anti-fascism. About whether violence against neo-Nazis can be part of this practice. And whether the consequences that criminal offenses entail came into play here. All of this could be twisted and turned, and that pleases the right-wing extremists on the street and those who were elected to parliament – completely in accordance with the rule of law. A welcome distraction.
In fact, we need to talk about the rule of law. About the question of how we defend ourselves against the right-wing authoritarianism that is overtaking not only the USA but also Europe, prevailing in Hungary and threatening to assert itself regionally in Germany. And which also affects the Maja T. case on all these levels.
After almost a year of negotiations in a Budapest court, the non-binary Maja T. was sentenced to 8 years in prison on Wednesday. Less than the absurdly high 24 years that the public prosecutor had demanded, but no acquittal. The basis for the verdict is only circumstantial evidence – video recordings that locate Maja T. in Budapest and are said to show her as part of an Antifa group, but in no way prove that she struck. On the contrary.
The fact that the trial even took place in Hungary is the biggest scandal in this case. It is the actual and much more dangerous attack, because it affects the constitutional state itself: Maja T. was extradited to Hungary, although a decision on this by the Federal Constitutional Court was still pending. Knowing that the court had announced quick processing, the prosecutors created facts. Clearly illegal, as was later determined by the highest court.
Breaking the law without consequences
It was a kidnapping by officials that will have no legal consequences. And we have to ask ourselves what will happen next if, for example, in Saxony-Anhalt the AfD wins the election in September. How many facts are created there by parliamentary majorities and unleashed officials on the streets until they are subsequently declared illegal – or not?
How many accounts of left-wing organizations are still being canceled by savings banks, GLS-Bank and Co, in advance obedience to the proto-fascist Trump, who declared “Antifa Ost” a terrorist organization explained? Which is then later declared illegal – or not?
The terror classification and the authoritarian restructuring of the constitutional state are steps that Hungary’s right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán demonstrated to the West. He shaped the judiciary and the media landscape to his liking. So much so that the EU Parliament is warning about a lack of the rule of law.
So we should talk about the rule of law – also about prison conditions, queer hostility, racism and inaction against neo-Nazi networks. But different than the right-wing extremists would like.