Maja T., a nonbinary anti-fascist activist from Germany, has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Budapest. The trial has been controversial and has political implications.
What I could not find in articles published in English is a mention of the very thin line of evidence. From Tagesschau (German article, translated with Deepl):
Little incriminating evidence
During the trial, the prosecution presented little evidence. Neither witness statements nor DNA evidence incriminated the accused. The prosecution argued on the basis of circumstantial evidence based on footage from a security camera near one of the crime scenes.
The prosecution stated that Maja T. could be seen in these images together with other attackers. The defence countered that the person who was supposed to be T. clearly did not have a weapon with her.
For context, here is the most prominent independent Hungarian newspaper’s report (they lean liberal, anti Orbán government):
Apparently there was witness testimony that was actually crucial in establishing the verdict as being “committed in a criminal organisation”.
From what I heard, in Hungary people at large feel upset about the attacks regardless of political affiliation, and in general the most problematic part is that the alleged leader was elected MEP in Italy and had to be released.
Also, while the independence of the courts is under attack in Hungary, it’s the one brach of government that actually is largely independent still. The only suspicious activity is around corruption cases. I wouldn’t write the judge off as a hack.
Eight goddamn years. While far-right terrorists are getting pardoned. Makes me sick.
How is Hungary still a EU member? Extraditions in the EU are almost automatic, this requires trust in each others justice and prison systems. If there is no trust, then there can’t be extraditions of national citizens to other states. This system is quite extraordinary and remarkable (extraditions between states in some federal states are more complicated), but only works on bases of trust and compatible systems with not too different laws and practices.
Yes, Hungary is an EU member state. However, in this case is far more complex than an automated extradition. Maja’s lawyer protested, a court authorized it, the extradition was rushed while a temporal injunction request to the federal constitutional court was pending, police acted before the courts decision, it’s a mess and the officials responsible should be out of jobs but will probably never suffer any consequences.
Maja T. regularly complained about inadequate hygiene conditions, poor food, extreme temperatures in winter and summer as well as poor lighting and ventilation in the cell, among other things. They were continuously held in isolation and in summer 2025 attempted unsuccessfully to force better prison conditions by going on a 40-day hunger strike.
And instead it’s their gender identity that the German courts are focusing on when it comes to extradition and human rights? SMH.
The German supreme court basically mentioned 2 reasons why the extradition was illegal:
- The general conditions in Hungarian prisons.
- That Hungary could discriminate against Maja, because they are non-binary.
Both reasons are enough to block the extradition on their own, but by mentioning them both the cort is solidifying precedent for future cases where only one applies. Also if the police wants to lie that they didn’t know of the conditions beforehand they would still be in the wrong.
And instead it’s their gender identity that the German courts are focusing on when it comes to extradition and human rights? SMH.
No, that’s not a focus of thegerman court, the court only acknowledged their gender identity as a factor that, considering hungarian queerphobic policies, aggrevates the situation Maja T. could face in hungarian prisons and the judicial system in general.
Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court, however, ruled that this trial should not have taken place in Hungary, referring to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (EU) and the associated ban on inhumane treatment.
Yup, you’re right, I should have read more carefully.
So, you gonna correct your comment?
done
Considering they’re being held in Hungary, which has banned Pride and charged the mayor of Budapest for supporting it, their gender identity is almost certainly linked to their poor treatment.
I can just as well write:
Considering they’re being held in Hungary, ruled by a protofascist illeberal regime, for antifascist activity, their politics are almost certainly linked to their poor treatment.
The two are obviously obviously linked of course, I mean I am not trying to split hairs here. They are being mistreated for being a non-binary antifascist, the two are indivisible in their case. What I’m actually saying is that I would hope that in Germany the more universalist issue of treating all prisoners with dignity would weigh the most.
They were deported hours before a court ruled, that they can not be deported to Hungary, due to them being non binary and Hungary being very anti LGBTQ+ and the fact that this means, that they could not expect a fair trial in Hungary.
What I’m actually saying is that I would hope that in Germany the more universalist issue of treating all prisoners with dignity would weigh the most.
Such as by acknowledging that certain prisoners are more vulnerable to mistreatment than others, especially in countries with laws targeting them, and taking that into consideration?
Sounds though like a policcal crusade.
"Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court, however, ruled that this trial should not have taken place in Hungary, referring to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (EU) and the associated ban on inhumane treatment.
The court ruled that insufficient checks had been made before T.'s extradition to ensure that the conditions of their detention in Hungary would be humane — especially in light of the fact that Maja T. identifies as non-binary.
They actually extradited her despite a court order explicitly blocking it. German cops are just fascist bastards like cops everywhere in the world. Protecting literal neonazis is their job i guess.
She was extradited before the court order was issued.
Those responsible for illegally extraditing her need to be prosecuted for human trafficking. I have little hope anything will be done about it but it‘s still a no brainer.
