Budapest's Mayor Gergely Karacsony has been questioned by police for his alleged involvement in organizing a banned LGBTQ march that saw record attendance despite government warnings. This event has raised significant concerns about freedom of expression in Hungary.
Budapest Mayor Under Police Investigation for Organizing Banned Pride March
Budapest Mayor Under Police Investigation for Organizing Banned Pride March
Mayor Gergely Karacsony faces charges over his role in the Pride rally that defied government restrictions in Hungary.
Budapest's Mayor Gergely Karacsony has found himself questioned by police as part of an investigation into a banned LGBTQ Pride march held on June 28. Despite warnings of legal consequences from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban—whose administration enacted a law prohibiting such events earlier this year—the rally attracted an unprecedented 200,000 participants, who transformed it into a protest against the government.
Dressed in a rainbow T-shirt emblazoned with the capital's coat of arms, Karacsony reported to Hungary's National Bureau of Investigation, where he asserted to onlookers, "Neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest." The mayor's bold stance could lead to criminal charges, potentially resulting in a year-long prison sentence if he is found guilty of facilitating the unlawful gathering.
After more than an hour of questioning, Karacsony declared his intention to contest the accusations, describing them as baseless. He gathered a crowd of approximately 200 supporters and media outside the inquiry building, expressing, "If it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished." He accompanied his statement with a refusal to respond to investigators' questions, opting instead to submit a prepared written statement.
Concerns over the annual Pride march had arisen earlier in the year after the government implemented legislation limiting public gatherings that allegedly violate child protection laws regarding the exposure of children to LGBTQ+ themes. This latest decree is part of ongoing actions by Orban's government targeting LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary, following the 2020 removal of legal recognition for transgender individuals and the 2021 ban on LGBTQ+ representation aimed at individuals under 18.
In a show of resilience against government repression, Karacsony previously emphasized commitment to hosting the Pride event despite the prohibitions, asserting that municipal events can be organized without legal opposition from police. Authorities previously stated there would be no punitive measures against attendees of the rally, who could have incurred fines of up to €500.
The National Bureau of Investigation has initiated a probe into unnamed individuals accused of organizing the march, stirring further debate about freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary. The defiance shown by the participants at this year's Pride march signals a significant stand against Orban’s legal threats designed to dampen public support for LGBTQ+ initiatives.
