Widespread fines spark debate over police response to recent protests in Budapest
Protests in Budapest have come under the spotlight after dozens of demonstrators were hit with fines, raising concerns about heavy-handed policing and the right to protest.
Widespread fines as response to protests in Budapest
As 444.hu reports, recent weeks have seen waves of protests in Budapest, including occupations of the Liberty (Szabadság) Bridge and demonstrations outside the state media, Media Services and Support Trust Fund (MTVA), headquarters. Protesters have shared personal accounts of how they were treated during these events, with many reporting fines of HUF 84,500 (EUR 207) regardless of the circumstances. In some cases, individuals were fined even while standing on the pavement or attempting to leave peacefully. One protester recounted how she was arrested despite wanting to comply, while another received the same fine for standing beside the road as her partner who had blocked traffic.
Dozens of demonstrators have reported receiving identical fines, suggesting a blanket approach by the authorities. A few, deemed “repeat offenders”, were fined HUF 104,000 (EUR 255) after returning to protests in Budapest more than once. In official documents, the police include warnings of harsher consequences for future offences. One protester noted she had accumulated HUF 274,000 (EUR 671) in fines across several demonstrations. The standard fine remains the same even in varied scenarios, whether someone stayed on the pavement or stood directly on the roadway.
The basis of the fines
Documents submitted by protesters reveal that the police consistently cite Article 21(1) of the Highway Code, which mandates pedestrians to walk on pavements where available. Yet the case descriptions differ widely, from individuals holding banners in traffic lanes to others who remained on the road despite available walkways. For MTVA protests in Budapest, authorities also invoke Article 3(1)(c), requiring participants not to endanger safety or obstruct traffic. Many fined individuals have contested the charges, supported by civil rights organisations such as the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ), the Two-tailed Dog Party, and Momentum.
Nothing new
This strategy of heavy-handed fines is not new. Similar tactics were used during student protests in 2018 and other movements in recent years. While some cases have been overturned in court, such as a 2020 COVID-related fine being dropped, many protesters feel that authorities are using penalties to discourage public dissent. Rights groups have previously criticised this approach, calling it an unlawful deterrent against spontaneous democratic expression.
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Truth is Truth.
Orban – Fidesz Hungarian Government, as the growing PRESSURIZATION on them inside Hungary, the European Union, and Globally countrys of the World that are Governed under DEMOCRACY, they MUST be EXHIBITED with TRUTH – there AGGRESSION being increased on peoples of Hungary – who OPPOSE them.
They FILM us.
We FILM them.
We COMMUNICATE – in Hungary, in Europe, inclusive of the European Union and Globally, to countrys of DEMOCRACY – if FACT, and of TRUTH – the TREATMENT being PRACTICED on Hungarians through the use, the right of DEMOCRACY to demonstrate – the “OPPOSING” – the “Challenging” of the Orban led Fidesz Government.
BRUTALITY of a human being verbal and “other” – is BARBARIC.
In the oppposing of Orban and his Fidesz Government that numbers in thousands grow seeking wanting CHANGE, the down-fall, removal from being the Government of Hungary, under the Prime Ministership of VictorMihaly. Orban and his Fidesz Government, who have SLAUGHTERED our country Hungary – in the conduct of our OPPOSITION in Solidarity it MUST repeat MUST be conducted under “non-violent resistance”.
We film, we use ALL forms of information technology at our DISPOSAL – to be a Hungarian, a European and GLOBAL – FEED – to and under DEMOCRACY – we are not the aggressors but the DEMONSTRATORS that in our “message” what we belief in, what we DEMONSTRATE for, what we OPPOSE – that our conduct the aggressors deserving of increased POLICING “heavy handed” – attention and action(s) directed from the office of the Prime Minister – Victor Mihaly. Orban, but that we PRACTICE embracing a CREED of “non-violent resistance”.
Orbanistan is snuffing out all public dissent. Hungarians do you remember socialist days when trucks would go through neighbourhoods to detect if you are listening to foreign broadcasts, with protests banned and Andrassy ut doing business. Now protests are suppressed once again, facial recognition technology, Pegasus software and for sure monitoring of your internet communication is happening. Use of violence against opponents of the government is just starting with disruptions of Tisza public displays and before the 2026 election we will likely see political imprisonments start to happen. Once you lose your freedom it is very difficult to regain it as you once again become a Russian satellite.
Tiza is the EU backed left wing NJ.
If they were protesting to stop the the EU/UK funded / killing in Ukraine. Up to a trillion- tthe most they ever spent on anything. These are the so called highly educated elites , but no common sense.
Orban stood alone in the EU to stop the crazy. As for the many protest- does anyone care about the disruptions to the najoritiy . I noticed the Hamas flag was changed to the EU.
Budapest is one of safest and most beautiful cities in world- incredible opportunities for people with intelligence to make things happen. After 40 years of imprisonment it has made remarkable progress. Young people are leaving because of money and how great it is in the western Europe – you are fools.
Europe is dyeing- the UK is 75 % there – i dont think it will remain british. All happened in a very short amount of time. People who have never lived anywhere but here have no clue. The so called well educated in the west means well indoctrinated stupid. Most the worlds libraries are on line and you can even translate 50 languages for you, all free. It can not wipe your ass for you. People in china live under communism and they are kicking your but tell us again how repressed under what you call a dictator ship is. It right up there with queers for Palestine.
The United Kingdom could not possibly be falling behind the rest of Europe (read: EU) due to Brexit? “Going it alone! Striking trade deals!”. Unrelated?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrynjz1glpo
Although -there is a Brexit benefit at last! As the Brexiteers pointed out – lower tariffs to the US… Speaking of US tariffs – Mr. Trump and the US Senate are threatening “500% Tariffs!” on countries importing Russian oil. Lets see how Hungarian exceptionalism holds up, when this hits.
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/US-Senators-Plan-500-Tariff-on-Russian-Energy-Buyers-If-Peace-Talks-Stall.html – oh joy, it also includes uranium and gas.
Re the fighting in Ukraine – I am curious as to what is your solution. Mr. Putin is not agreeing to a cease fire, Mr. I-will-end-the-war-in-24-hours is threatening to pull out of peace talks after 100 days in office. Perhaps Hungary should send Mr. Szijjártó to massage Mr. Lavrov, for the 14th time since the start of the war?
Now our Politicians are making the police “Fight Jaywalkers!”. Would be interesting to see the statistics as to how often fines are generally levied for this offense, generally. Or not stopping for pedestrian crossings, while we are at it.
The demonstrator protocol is outdated, boring, useless. Not just annoying to others or dismissive of the feelings/stand of others. Perhaps these clever wealthy folks with so much time on their hands and energy could do something useful instead. Like in the name of their cause, they could build and man a woman’s shelter, or animal shelter. Or individually beat Terry Fox’s effort…be the Forest Gump of their cause. That instead they decide to cause losses to buisinesses, individuals AND risk safety for all is just old school & outof place in times of hardships around the world which no one now can pretend they don’t have info about. And if U don’t like a country so much, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.