German police are preparing for nationwide unrest ahead of a Hungarian court verdict in the case of Maja T., a “non-binary” far-left extremist accused of traveling to Budapest to carry out violent Antifa attacks. Authorities warn that a guilty ruling could trigger riots, arson, and attacks on Hungarian diplomatic missions across Germany.
The 24-year-old accused has been imprisoned in Hungary since June last year, after being extradited from Germany in connection with political violence conducted by the so-called Hammerbande (Hammer Gang), an Antifa-linked extremist group known for attacking people they label as ‘right-wing’ or ‘fascist.’ Maja T. is alleged to have taken part in coordinated assaults in Budapest in February 2023, during which victims—including some lying immobilised on the ground—were beaten with hammers and batons. A verdict is expected today, February 4th.
Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office is preparing for widespread riots in the event of a guilty verdict. An internal email seen by Junge Freiheit said that “on the day of the verdict announcement and in the immediate vicinity, retaliatory crimes are to be expected nationwide.”
Hungarian diplomatic missions are said to be targets, with police officials warning that property damage and arson are “at least a possibility.”
German journalist Philip Plickert said on Tuesday that the “entire left-wing scene (which extends far into Green Party and SPD sympathisers) will be losing its mind and going absolutely wild with ‘Free Maja.’”
One of its representatives, Italian leftist MEP Ilaria Salis, said, “I don’t expect good news from the verdict,” adding: “In a country where antifascism is considered terrorism … it is unimaginable even to imagine a fair trial against political opponents.
Salis herself avoided going on trial in Hungary over allegations she participated in attacks organised by the ‘Hammer Gang’ after members of the European Parliament last October voted to maintain her immunity.
Activists standing outside the Hungarian court on Wednesday held a banner calling on “Antifa scum attacking from behind” to “get out of our country!”
We will be reporting on the verdict once it has been handed down.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
