Seeking to impose a fine, prosecutors in Budapest filed charges on Wednesday, January 28th, against opposition mayor Gergely Karácsony who organised the city’s Pride parade last JuneThe event drew an estimated 200,000 people, marking a record turnout despite Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s long-standing restrictions on LGBT events.
Orban’s government had attempted to block the parade by codifying bans into law and the constitution, citing “child protection.” Budapest city hall co-organised the event in an effort to circumvent the regulations, but police issued an official ban and warned of legal consequences.
Karácsony called the charges a sign of standing up for freedom, describing himself as a “proud defendant.” While participants faced potential fines of up to €500, police later announced they would not pursue action against those who attended.
