Now there are only a few days left. Probably on Wednesday Maja T. Find out what punishment the Hungarian justice system provides. Until then, T., 25, nonbinary, anti-fascist from Thuringia, will continue to sit in a prison cell in the middle of Budapest, two by three meters tall, behind bars and plexiglass. Right next to the regional court, which will now make the verdict. One that could mean up to 24 years in prison.
If this actually happens, the judge’s ruling is likely to trigger protests – not just in the German left-wing scene, which is already calling for protests in several cities. There were also recent solidarity actions in Italy and France. There are also warning voices against Hungary from federal politics. A country whose rule of law is questioned by the EU could impose a prison sentence on a German citizen that is beyond any sentence imposed here.
Lars Castellucci, SPD MP and Federal Government Human Rights Commissioner, calls for the proceedings against T. to “preserve applicable human rights standards”. Nonbinary people are “often particularly vulnerable,” says Castellucci to the taz. “The Budapest Embassy and the Foreign Office continually monitor the general conditions of the procedure and detention.”
His party colleague, Bundestag member Falko Droßmann, says: “We expect a constitutional decision that takes all circumstances into account and is based on law, not political beliefs.”
Green Party member Helge Limburg says one can only appeal to the Hungarian judiciary to make a constitutional ruling. During the trial, however, constitutional standards were violated and T. was presented “like a trophy.” “I therefore fear a very harsh sentence.” The left-wing MEP Martin Schirdewan sees a “politically motivated show trial”. The allegations are “completely baseless” and the possible 24 years in prison are “sheer intimidation”. All three politicians had visited T. in prison in Hungary.
Shown on a chain
A participation in two attacks on right-wing extremists in February 2023 in Budapest T. is accused. At that time, neo-Nazis from all over Europe gathered there for the “Day of Honor,” a scene networking event. On the sidelines, right-wing extremists were attacked in five places by masked people with batons and fists, suffering lacerations and broken bones.
After three arrests on site and based on surveillance camera images, a search was carried out for almost a dozen German left-wingers. Maja T. was the first to be arrested in Berlin in December 2023 – and extradited to Hungary six months later. Illegal, as the Federal Constitutional Court later ruled, because the prison conditions for non-binary people in Hungary were not sufficiently examined.
A trial against T. has been going on in the Budapest regional court for a year now, although it has only been heard 16 times. A good week ago T. sat there again for the pleadings. The public prosecutor’s office stuck to its charges, referred to videos that showed T. with other German anti-fascists in Budapest at the time of the crime, and called for a harsh punishment as a “deterrent” for the “unprecedented series of attacks.”
Ts Hungarian Verteidiger Tamás Bajáky pleaded for acquittal: There is no evidence that T. was involved in the attacks. Only one video should show T. on the verge of an attack. This person doesn’t strike, but moves away. The injuries were also not as serious as alleged. The public prosecutor’s office, however, firmly attributes T. to the group and thus to the attacks, whether T. attacked himself or not.
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Maja T., as always paraded on a chain, appeared exhausted in court, occasionally smiling at her father, siblings and friends in the audience. T. had repeatedly criticized isolation in prison, including cockroaches, sleep deprivation and requests to undress. T. therefore went on a hunger strike for 40 days. Neo-Nazis repeatedly appeared in the hall or in front of the court – while left-wing demonstrations were recently banned there.
The authorities attribute T. to “Antifa Ost”, which Hungary, like the USA, has classified as a terrorist group. Hungary’s right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán emphasized that there was “zero tolerance” for “Antifa terrorists”. Marked announcements, probably also with a view to the parliamentary elections on April 12th – in which, according to surveys, Orbán is behind so far.
T. himself remained silent about the allegations during the trial. Right at the beginning, T. complained that he was being prejudged and that the accusation was based on “pure hypotheses.” During a prison visit by taz last summer, Maja T. confirmed that she was ready to face the allegations. “But according to the rule of law, in a fair process.” T. also told the taz: “I try to measure my actions against the ideal of a non-violent world.” This could be understood as a rejection of the accusations.
Judgment should come soon
On Wednesday, T. will be allowed to speak in court again. It is doubtful that the final words will have any effect on Judge József Sós, who is leading the trial alone. During T’s defense attorney’s plea, he barely looked up from his laptop.
Sós wants to announce his verdict directly on Wednesday – without any further time for reflection. Whether that will work remains to be seen. For Wolfram Jarosch, T’s father, who has traveled to almost every day of the trial so far, this reinforces the impression: “That in a staged show trial the verdict has long been determined.” He is “expecting the worst.”
Sven Richwin, T’s German lawyer, calls the prosecutor’s plea “a farce given the lack of evidence.” Since the judge has always followed the public prosecutor’s office, “unfortunately there is a risk of a conviction in the direction of the maximum penalty required.” If that happens, T. will then be faced with a difficult question. An appeal would be possible – which would prolong the harsh pre-trial detention. Or to accept the verdict and thus open up the chance of finally being transferred to Germany.
Maja T. takes notes in the courtroom of the Budapest-Capital Regional Court
Photo:
Daniel Alfoldi/imago
Hungary had already assured before the extradition that it would be possible to serve a prison sentence in Germany after a legally binding verdict. The only question is: under what conditions would T. be transferred back? Normally, the prison sentence imposed abroad is considered to have been imposed. The impending prison sentence for T. could far exceed the German penalty range for dangerous bodily harm – which would make an adjustment necessary. And the poor prison conditions in Hungary could be taken into account.
Hungary’s agreement to a reduced prison sentence for T. could then mean another “tug of war”, says lawyer Richwin. The public prosecutor’s office at T’s last place of residence, i.e. in Jena, would be responsible. The Thuringian Public Prosecutor’s Office says they will examine the case if it really happens. Richwin warns: “The German authorities must not make any concessions here.”
Pressure is already coming from federal politics. “I firmly expect a prompt return to Germany if Maja T. is convicted,” says Human Rights Commissioner Lars Castellucci. SPD colleague Droßmann also calls for “all options to be examined” for repatriation. “The protection of German citizens does not end at national borders.” The Green Limburg also sees this step as “urgently necessary” and the Left Party Schirdewan as “long overdue”.
Federal ministers remain silent
But Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) is holding back. Initially he had at least campaigned for better prison conditions for Maja T. After that it became quiet from his side. His ministry currently only refers to the statements made by the human rights commissioner. And Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) is also silent. Her ministry simply says that a return transfer is an “exclusively judicial procedure” and that no one is involved in it.
On Wednesday, not only a verdict against Maja T. will be handed down in the Budapest court. Two other defendants were also tried in absentia: the Berliner Anna M. and the Italian Gabriele M. The German was among those arrested directly in Budapest in February 2023. She was later released and then left for Germany. Anna M. is not accused of any attacks, only of membership in a criminal organization. Her Hungarian defense attorney demanded that she be acquitted because the association did not exist that way. The public prosecutor’s office also demanded a prison sentence of several years for Anna M.. However, this would only be enforced if M. ever set foot on Hungarian soil.
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution is concerned
German security authorities are already looking at the verdicts in Budapest with concern. “In the scene, support for left-wing extremist criminals and violent criminals is generally high,” says the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. “Solidarity with ‘Maja’ was at times a focus of the left-wing extremist scene.” They are currently “mobilizing significantly for protests in the context of the verdict”. Depending on the outcome, “protests, expressions of solidarity as well as criminal and violent acts” can be expected.
Meanwhile, Tamás Bajáky, Maja T’s Hungarian defense attorney, warned in the Budapest trial against passing a harsh sentence just because T. was the only person caught by Hungary for the attacks. The court has a great responsibility for the fate of a young person.
Maja T. herself told the taz during her prison visit that the prospect of up to 24 years in prison – almost as long as her previous life – was of course frightening. “Permanent.” It is the great solidarity that allows T. to persevere. Maja T. recently sent the taz another saying from prison by Antonio Gramsci, the Italian communist: As long as you keep your own beliefs and morals, nothing is lost.