Budapest protest on 25 March: Two detained, one rescued from Danube after traffic blockade

The metropolitan police (BRFK) detained two people who took part in a protest in downtown Budapest on Tuesday evening, police.hu reported.

The authorities had approved two demonstrations under the law on the right of assembly, police said in a statement on Wednesday. After the protest officially ended, participants proceeded to block traffic on Liberty, Petőfi, Elisabeth and Margaret Bridge, they added.

Police asked for identification from 289 people, filed reports for traffic violations against 18 people and detained two individuals for refusing to provide ID and another for a continued traffic violation. One man swam into the Danube and had to be resuscitated after he was pulled from the water, police said.

As we reported on Tuesday, opposition demonstrators at a protest in central Budapest organised by independent lawmaker Ákos Hadházy demanded the withdrawal of a recent amendment to the law on the right of assembly. Read more HERE.

Read also:

• Protesters occupy Budapest Liberty Bridge, demanding withdrawal of controversial assembly law amendment – videos, photos
• Proposed Budapest Pride ban bill: Participants face penalties, assembly rights in danger – UPDATE