Prosecutors in Hungary have filed charges against the progressive mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, for organising and leading a Pride march in defiance of a government ban. They are seeking a fine in a summary judgment without a trial.
The march took place in June after Hungary's ruling Fidesz party passed legislation banning Pride events, citing the need to protect children. Karácsony declared the event a municipal gathering to circumvent the police ban, and hundreds of thousands attended, including politicians from across Europe.
On Wednesday, prosecutors stated that Karácsony had violated the ban and proposed a fine, though the amount was not disclosed. The mayor responded on social media: 'I have gone from being a proud suspect to a proud defendant... resistance is a duty.'
The charges come ahead of parliamentary elections in which Prime Minister Viktor Orbán faces a challenge from former ally Péter Magyar. Critics say the government is scapegoating LGBTQ+ communities to rally conservative voters.
Vula Tsetsi, co-chair of the European Green party, called the case a test of whether the EU will stand for democracy. Co-chair Ciarán Cuffe warned that European institutions must not ignore the criminalisation of peaceful assembly in a member state.
