Budapest Complex | Budapest court denies defendants' hunger strike

Hungarian authorities publicly deny that anti-fascist Maja T. is on hunger strike – even though the detainee hasn't eaten solid food for over a week and, according to her family and lawyers, has already lost six kilos. On June 12, the fourth hearing took place in a Budapest court – despite the defendant's exhaustion caused by the hunger strike and contrary to the lawyer's requests.

False information about purchasing

In an article published on June 11 in the pro-government news portal Mandiner.hu, the Hungarian prison authority BvOP (National Penitentiary Administration) claims that Maja T. cannot be on hunger strike because the anti-fascist continues to buy and consume food regularly.

T's lawyer requested that the hearing be adjourned due to the health risks and that a medical report be obtained to confirm the hunger strike. Both requests were rejected. The judge and prosecutor partially followed the arguments of Mandiner.hu and the BvOP, according to which Maja was making "self-purchases" and therefore was not on hunger strike. The aforementioned purchase—seven different chocolate bars, bananas, lemons, ginger, peanuts, cucumbers, oranges, peppers, and orange juice—took place on June 2, three days before the hunger strike. All food was consumed beforehand—a fact that the authorities are omitting.

According to information from T.'s relatives, the anti-fascist was repeatedly asked by prison guards to go shopping – which she refused. The ward nurse also weighed the anti-fascist several times and checked her blood sugar – an indication that the hunger strike had been officially registered. At the same time, the guards showed little seriousness and mocked Maja's refusal to eat.

Trial day ended prematurely

After four hours, the trial was finally adjourned because T. repeatedly fell asleep from exhaustion. In a short letter sent on the day of the trial, T.'s father stated that the Hungarian "judge is torturing Maja to the point of exhaustion." The father, who has been in the audience at all the trials so far, is worried about his child: "Maja has been on hunger strike for eight days, and each additional day drains Maja's strength." The defendant's sister also stated: "We demand that the authorities respect Maja's decision, respect Maja's rights during the hunger strike, and also publicly acknowledge that Maja is on hunger strike."

On the fourth day of the trial, videos were viewed relating to the alleged attack on three well-known members of the far-right scene from Poland. During the hearing on the previous day, all three had stated that they had traveled to Hungary as tourists. They had happened to be at the far-right "Day of Honor" in Budapest. A forensic pathologist who had prepared expert reports on the victims' injuries was also questioned. A few members of the far-right "Youth Movement of the 64 Counties" also held another rally in front of the courthouse. As in the previous week, they held a banner reading "Antifa scum attacking from behind. Get out of our country." The next day of the trial is June 18.

Up to 24 years imprisonment is threatened

The trial against T. in the so-called Budapest Complex has been ongoing since February 21, 2025. The activist is charged with alleged attacks on neo-Nazis in February 2023. Because T. refused a plea deal with the public prosecutor, she faces up to 24 years in prison. On the very first day of the trial, she was brought before the court in handcuffs, leg irons, and on a leash.

Maja T. was extradited from Germany to Hungary on June 28, 2024, under questionable circumstances. The Federal Constitutional Court later declared the extradition unlawful. Nevertheless, she remains in Hungarian custody – under conditions that she, her relatives, supporters, and her lawyers repeatedly criticize as inhumane.

Human rights groups such as Amnesty International and the Council of Europe's Committee Against Torture (CPT) criticize Hungary for prison conditions that involve violence against and among prisoners, as well as for unsanitary conditions and inadequate medical care. The independence of the courts and the right to fair and due process are also repeatedly questioned. According to the United Nations Nelson Mandela Rules, prolonged solitary confinement is considered inhumane treatment.