Demonstrators against growing Russian influence near embassy in Budapest – UPDATE

Budapest, 2017. április 24. Az Állítsuk meg Moszkvát! címmel meghirdetett tüntetés a budapesti orosz nagykövetség közelében 2017. április 24-én. MTI Fotó: Kovács Tamás

Budapest, April 24 (MTI) – Demonstrators gathered near the Russian embassy in Budapest on Monday evening and speakers said the increase in Moscow’s influence over Hungary in the past few years was reason for concern.

Writer and philosopher András Lányi said the government was gradually moving closer to dictatorships where opponents are killed off or imprisoned. He cited Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran as examples. The 21st century seems to become a dangerous period, with the distance between East and West growing, he added.

Henrietta Nikoletta Antal, an activist from the group protesting the revamp of the City Park, encouraged participants to make a move towards the western lifestyle and values.