In a recent development, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony has remained resolute after facing criminal charges for his involvement in organizing the city’s Pride parade last summer, defying Hungarian law. The incident occurred on June 28 when the parade proceeded despite a ban on Pride events imposed by Hungary’s right-wing nationalist government.
Karacsony, who is a member of the European Green Party, expressed his defiance in a statement on Facebook, stating, “I went from being a proud suspect to a proud defendant.” He emphasized the importance of standing up for freedom in the country, despite facing legal consequences.
The Pride parade in 2025 drew hundreds of thousands of participants in Budapest, including Ciarán Cuffe from Ireland, who is the co-chair of the European Green Party. Cuffe described the event as empowering and extraordinary, given the restrictive environment for freedom of expression in the city.
Karacsony faced charges for organizing an unauthorized assembly despite a prohibition order issued by the Budapest Chief Prosecutor’s Office. The government’s ban on Pride events, along with the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees, has been criticized for infringing on civil liberties.
Despite attempts to circumvent the ban by registering the march as a municipal event, Karacsony was prohibited from proceeding with the Pride parade under the pretext of child-protection laws. Prosecutors accused him of openly defying police orders and leading the assembly, a claim that Karacsony did not dispute.
Karacsony expressed his determination to challenge the charges in court, emphasizing his commitment to defending freedom and resisting government oppression. Cuffe echoed support for Karacsony, highlighting the broader implications of the case for democracy and human rights in Europe.
As Hungary prepares for upcoming elections on April 12, the situation surrounding Karacsony’s legal battle and the broader implications for civil liberties continue to attract attention and scrutiny.
