A Budapest appeals court on Wednesday reduced the prison sentence of Maja T., a 25-year-old German non-binary anti-fascist activist, from eight to seven years for her involvement in attacks ahead of a far-right commemoration in 2023. The Budapest-Capital Regional Court of Appeal reclassified her role from co-perpetrator to accomplice, a change that shortened the term by one year. The ruling is final and cannot be appealed.
Maja T. was convicted in February for participating in assaults on nine people, including German and Polish citizens, whom prosecutors said the group identified as far-right extremists. The attacks occurred on the margins of the annual "Day of Honour" in Budapest, an event that draws neo-Nazi sympathizers from across Europe to mark the attempted breakout of German and Hungarian troops from the Soviet siege in 1945.
The defendant entered the courtroom led by guards on a leash, a practice that has drawn criticism from human rights groups. Supporters outside the court chanted "Maja" as she was brought in, and banners demanding her release were hung near the entrance. Police maintained a heavy presence on surrounding streets.
International scrutiny and legal disputes
The case has become a flashpoint in European judicial cooperation. Campaigners, including some German politicians, had questioned whether Maja T. would receive a fair trial, particularly after the former nationalist government of Viktor Orbán designated groups linked to the attacks as terrorist organizations last year. That designation, critics argue, could prejudice proceedings.
Several other individuals accused of participating in the 2023 violence have faced trials in Hungary and Germany. One suspect received a five-year prison sentence in Germany. Italy and France have refused to extradite two suspects to Hungary, with courts in both countries citing the risk of "inhumane treatment" in Hungarian prisons.
In 2024, Germany's Constitutional Court ruled that Maja T. faced a risk of discriminatory treatment in Hungary as a non-binary person and should not be extradited. However, the ruling came hours too late to prevent the handover, which had already taken place.
The case has also highlighted broader concerns about the treatment of detainees in Hungary. Maja T. staged a 40-day hunger strike last year to protest what she called her "unlawful handover" and "inhumane" prison conditions, allegations that Hungary's prison service has denied.
Wednesday's ruling is unlikely to end the controversy. Legal experts note that the reduction in sentence, while significant, does not address the underlying concerns about due process and prison conditions that have been raised by international observers.
The case also comes amid a shifting political landscape in Hungary. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has faced increasing pressure from both domestic and European critics over its handling of judicial independence and human rights. Meanwhile, Hungary's parliament has recently stripped immunity from the prime minister and two former ministers, a move that some see as part of a broader anti-corruption drive.
For Maja T., the reduced sentence means she could be released sooner, but her legal team has indicated they will continue to fight for her full acquittal. Her supporters argue that she was acting in self-defense against neo-Nazi provocateurs, while Hungarian authorities maintain that the attacks were unprovoked and violent.
The case has also resonated beyond Hungary, with France's far-right securing a Senate group for the first time, a reminder of the continent's ongoing struggle with extremism. As Europe grapples with rising far-right movements, the treatment of anti-fascist activists remains a contentious issue.
In the coming months, Maja T.'s legal team is expected to appeal to international bodies, including the European Court of Human Rights, to review her case. The outcome could have implications for how EU member states cooperate on extradition and respect for fundamental rights.
