Federal Prosecutor General | Budapest Complex: Charges against six anti-fascists

Six of the seven anti-fascists who surrendered to German authorities at the beginning of the year and are associated with the so-called "Budapest Complex" have been indicted by the Federal Prosecutor General (GBA). Their defense attorneys announced this in a press release. The Federal Prosecutor General reportedly confirmed the indictment to the legal magazine LTO.

The initiation of criminal proceedings in Germany could also have implications for possible extradition proceedings to Hungary , where arrest warrants have also been issued and where Maja T., who has already been extradited , is currently on trial . Attorney Lukas Bastisch, representing one of the defendants, described the initiation of the proceedings to "nd" as an "obstacle to extradition." The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (GBA) had already emphasized before the indictment "that German criminal proceedings should be given priority." Bastisch emphasized: "Formal confirmation by the court responsible for deciding on extradition is still pending."

Zaid A. , a Syrian citizen who also turned himself in, was not charged. The Federal Prosecutor's Office has not requested an arrest warrant against him. Currently, only the European Arrest Warrant from Hungary is in place against him. According to his lawyer, it is still unclear which court will decide on his extradition.

The defense sharply criticizes the prosecution, particularly the legal assessment of individual acts. The Federal Office for the Prosecution (GBA) classifies two of the attacks on neo-Nazis in Budapest as attempted murder. "Even the draconian, politically active Hungarian judiciary has not found any intent to kill in these acts," the defense attorneys stated in their statement. Bastisch added: "The allegations made against my client are legally untenable. The Federal Prosecutor General has already failed in the investigation with the accusation of attempted homicide. The allegations will now have to be critically examined by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court."

Criticism also arises regarding the local jurisdiction: The defense considers the decision to hold the proceedings before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court to be politically motivated. Although two of the suspects turned themselves in in North Rhine-Westphalia, the majority of the defendants have social ties near Jena. The allegations have no connection to North Rhine-Westphalia.

"In this respect, the impression arises that an indictment was deliberately not brought before the Higher Regional Court in Jena because threats and attacks by right-wing forces are commonplace in this region," the defense stated. The anti-fascist scene there is correspondingly strongly organized. The Federal Criminal Court appears to want to "avoid a trial in a city where the accused can be assured of the support of their families, friends, and broad solidarity from anti-fascists." This support was most recently demonstrated in mid-June at a demonstration in solidarity with the defendants in the "Budapest Complex." According to the organizers, around 10,000 people participated; the MDR reported "more than 5,000 people."

The current charges stem from events in February 2023 in Budapest. Neo-Nazis from several European countries gathered there on the occasion of the "Day of Honor." The defendants are accused of deliberately attacking and seriously injuring individuals as members of a criminal organization. According to LTO, the charges are directed against Nele A., Emilie D., Paula P., Luca S., Moritz S., and Clara W.