Metropolitan Court has reduced the prison sentence of German national Maja T., who was convicted over a series of antifa attacks on people perceived to be far-right supporters in Budapest in February 2023.
Maja T.’s sentence was cut from eight years to seven years by the Metropolitan Court on Wednesday. The court also reduced the sentence of fellow defendant Gabriele M. from seven to six years, while upholding a two-year prison sentence for German national Anna Christina M. The ruling is final and cannot be appealed.
Antifa attacks targeted people seen as far-right
The defendants were accused of taking part in antifa group attacks between 9 and 11 February 2023, targeting people they believed were far-right based primarily on their clothing. The victims were allegedly identified as people attending events associated with the so-called “Day of Honour” and the Breakout Memorial Tour, gatherings connected with commemorations of a 1945 attempt by Nazi and Hungarian forces to break out of encircled Budapest.
Five antifa attacks were recorded during the period, leaving nine people injured, six of them seriously, according to reports cited in the case. Prosecutors accused Maja T. of attempted aggravated bodily harm causing life-threatening injuries and attempted serious bodily harm committed with a base motive, both allegedly carried out as part of a criminal organisation.
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Defence challenged first-instance ruling
The case reached the appeals stage after both prosecutors and defence lawyers challenged the original verdicts. Maja T.’s lawyer had disputed the classification of the group as a criminal organisation and argued that video footage did not show his client actively participating in some of the attacks. The defence also questioned aspects of the medical expert evidence.
Their lawyer had additionally raised concerns about Maja T.’s ability to defend themselves while they were on hunger strike during the proceedings. Judge Géza Szalai said defendants have a right to effective legal defence, but argued that the state cannot compel a defendant to exercise that right. He said Maja T. had effectively chosen to exercise their right to express their views through the hunger strike rather than their right to participate fully in their defence.
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Antifa supporters gather outside court
The verdict attracted significant attention, with supporters of Maja T. gathering outside the court before the hearing. Media and antifa supporters formed a queue to enter the courtroom, while a representative of the German embassy was also present. Maja T. entered the courtroom accompanied by officers before hearing their final sentence, writes Telex.
Another defendant, Italian national Ilaria Salis, is currently covered by a separate legal situation after being elected to the European Parliament in 2024. Proceedings against their have been suspended. The appeals court’s ruling in the present case is final.
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