Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony is facing legal action after being formally accused by prosecutors for his role in organizing the city’s Pride parade, a demonstration that drew tens of thousands in September 2023 [[1]]. The charges,alleging a violation of freedom of assembly,arrive amidst increased scrutiny and legislative changes impacting LGBTQ+ rights within Hungary,and represent the latest in a series of clashes between the mayor and the country’s governing parties. Karácsony has vowed to challenge the accusations in court, framing the prosecution as an attempt to stifle advocacy for equality and basic freedoms.
Budapest’s mayor has been formally accused by prosecutors for organizing the city’s Pride parade, a move that could result in a fine. Gergely Karácsony was charged Wednesday with violating freedom of assembly, according to a filing with the Pest Central District Court.
Prosecutors have requested the court impose a monetary penalty on Karácsony without a full trial. The case underscores growing tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and public demonstrations in Hungary.
Karácsony responded to the charges Wednesday, stating he intends to fight the accusation in court. “The prosecution is trying to avoid a trial with a trick, but I want to go to court and I will go to court,” he wrote in a social media post. “Not for any other reason than to say and defend my conviction: love and freedom cannot be banned or punished.”
The prosecution’s move to seek a penalty without a trial has drawn criticism from supporters of the mayor, who view the charges as politically motivated. Karácsony has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has clashed with the country’s conservative government on several occasions.
https://hvg.hu/elet/20260129_steiner-kristof-pride-karacsony-gergely-vademeles
