Berlin, Jan 21, (dpa/GNA) – Several Germans suspected of having been involved in left-wing attacks on neo-Nazis in Budapest nearly two years ago,
voluntarily turned themselves in to German authorities on Monday, but petitioned to avoid being handed over to Hungary.
According to a statement by their lawyers, the suspects turned themselves in “voluntarily, despite the threat of extradition” in order to defend
themselves against the charges.
Because of the “right-wing authoritarian Hungarian regime” and “inhumane prison conditions,” they are demanding that the young anti-fascist activists
not be extradited, and that, the criminal proceedings be conducted in Germany.
According to the defence lawyers, their clients are accused of being involved in the attacks on German, Polish and Hungarian right-wing extremists in
the Hungarian capital in February 2023.
Several far-right extremists participating in an annual gathering in Budapest – dubbed the “Day of Honour” by far-right Hungarian neo-Nazis – were
attacked by left-wing activists.
The event on February 11 often draws neo-fascists and other fringe far-right extremist figures from across Hungary and abroad.
The event is intended to commemorate the unsuccessful attempt by Nazi German and allied Hungarian fascist troops, to break through the Soviet army’s
siege ring around Budapest in February 1945.
Investigations into the case are ongoing in Germany and Hungary, including for membership of a criminal organization and dangerous bodily harm.
German and European arrest warrants have been issued for the suspects in hiding.
The defence lawyers see extradition as “a violation of fundamental and human rights,” because in Hungary, their clients are threatened with an
“excessively long prison sentence” of up to 24 years.
The lawyers also said legal proceedings in Hungary, do not comply with the rule of law, and prison conditions are inhumane.
GNA