At a Glance
- Occasion: Protest against the sentencing of Jena-born non-binary person Maja T. in Budapest.
- Attendance: Police estimate approx. 700; organizers speak of over 1,000 participants.
- Incidents: Ignition of pyrotechnics and violations of the ban on facial coverings.
- Outcome: Four criminal charges and several administrative offense proceedings.
Jena. A clear sign of solidarity and protest echoed through the streets of Jena on Saturday evening. In the birthplace of Maja T., a non-binary person currently imprisoned in Hungary, numerous people gathered to demonstrate against the recent verdict of a Budapest court. The rally was largely peaceful but was overshadowed by isolated incidents.
Attendance and Atmosphere
Mobilization for the demonstration was high. While the police estimated the number of participants at about 700 people, the organizers estimated more than 1,000 protesters. The crowd marched through the city center to draw attention to the fate of Maja T. and to criticize the Hungarian judiciary.
The mood was combative but mostly controlled. However, emergency services also recorded rule violations during the course of the evening. A police spokesperson confirmed that pyrotechnics were ignited from within the ranks of the demonstrators. Furthermore, officers identified violations of the applicable ban on facial coverings. In total, the police initiated four criminal proceedings and several administrative offense proceedings following the conclusion of the assembly.
Background: The Budapest Verdict
The protests were triggered by the first-instance verdict against Maja T., which was delivered last Wednesday in the Hungarian capital. The court sentenced Maja T. to a prison term of eight years. The prosecution accuses T. of participating in violent attacks on suspected right-wing extremists.
The case has caused an international stir and sharp criticism. Observers and supporters accuse the Hungarian judiciary under the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of acting with political motivation and seeking to make an example of the case. Orbán had previously called for harsh punishment. The legal history is also highly sensitive: The Federal Constitutional Court retrospectively classified the extradition of Maja T. to Hungary as unlawful—at a point in time, however, when the transfer had already been completed.
Legal Aftermath Expected
The verdict against Maja T. is not yet legally binding. Both the defense and the prosecution have already announced appeals. This moves the legal battle to the next instance. For the supporter scene in Jena and beyond, the case remains a symbol of the conflict over rule-of-law principles within the European Union.
In Jena, it is clear how deeply the fate of Maja T. moves the local civil society. It is to be expected that this will not be the last rally on this topic in the Saalestadt.
Read original article in German.