* Hungary Fines Budapest Mayor Over Pride March

Hungarian prosecutors ⁢have charged ‍Budapest Mayor Gergely⁣ Karacsony ⁤over his ⁢role in arranging last year’s gay pride march ⁢in the ​capital city, which attracted⁢ hundreds ​of thousands of people despite a ban.

Prosecutors have “filed ⁤charges and ⁣seek a fine against the mayor of⁣ Budapest, who organised‌ and led a public‌ gathering despite a police ban,”‍ thier ⁣office said⁢ in a statement on ⁤Wednesday.

“The district prosecutor’s office ⁢proposed⁢ that the court impose a‌ fine on‌ the ‍defendant⁣ in a summary ⁣judgement ‍without a trial,” ‌the‌ statement added, without specifying the amount.

Since returning ‌to power in 2010, Prime‍ Minister Viktor Orban has been tightening his grip on the country and targeting groups advocating for human rights.

Orban’s conservative government⁣ has‍ also pushed for legislation promoting customary family ​values and ⁤steadily rolled back LGBTQ rights. In 2025, his Fidesz party amended laws and the constitution ⁢to ‌ban the annual pride march,‍ drawing protests⁣ from‌ critics and⁤ the ⁤European Union.

‘Proud defendant’

After⁤ the‌ ban was imposed last ‍year,budapest‌ City⁢ Hall ‍stepped⁤ in to co-organize the event ‍to ‍try to ‌sidestep regulations,but police still issued objections,and Orban⁢ warned organisers and attendees ‌of “legal consequences.”

On Wednesday,⁣ Karacsony reacted to ⁢the charges by saying he went from⁣ a “proud​ suspect to a proud defendant.”

“they don’t even want a trial … as they can’t ‌even ⁢comprehend that ⁢here ⁢in this city, we have stood up for freedom in the face of a selfish, petty,‌ and despicable power,” ​he said‍ on ⁢Facebook.

Ciaran Cuffe, cochairman ​of the EU’s European Greens party, called the charges “outrageous” in ​a post on X. The European Greens ‌party also stated its support for Karacsony, who is a member of⁣ Dialogue, the Greens’ party affiliate​ in ⁣Hungary.

Despite the ban, the march became “the biggest⁢ freedom march in decades,” proving that “love can’t⁢ be banned,” ⁣the party ⁣added.

Facing a year in⁢ prison

Karacsony ⁤could face up to one year in prison ‍for organising and urging participation in a banned rally.‌ Participants could also face fines of up to 500 euros (nearly⁢ $600) for attending⁢ Budapest pride, although police announced in July they ​would ‌not take action against the marchers.

Organisers of the⁤ June march estimated that up to​ 200,000 people took part⁢ in the 30th annual Budapest pride. ⁢The rally began at⁤ Budapest City Hall and ⁣wound through the city ⁤centre before ‍crossing the Erzsebet Bridge over the Danube River.

the crowds waved rainbow flags and carried signs mocking Orban.