At a press conference organised by The Left in the European Parliament on Wednesday 11 December, MEPs denounced the growing repression of anti-fascist activists in the European Union. The event focused on the cases of two activists accused by the Hungarian authorities: Maja T., 23, currently held in Budapest, and Rexhino ‘Gino’ Abazaj, 32, held in Paris and facing extradition to Hungary.
The co-president of The Left, Martin Schirdewan (German), called for European pressure to be stepped up against extraditions to Hungary, where, in his view, “the rule of law is not guaranteed”. He described Maja T.’s conditions of detention as “humiliating and contrary to international standards”, citing serious health risks due to infestations and prolonged isolation. Wolfram Jarosch, Maja’s father, also spoke, calling for her to be transferred to Germany or, failing that, placed under house arrest.
Laurent Pasquet-Marinacce, the lawyer representing Rexhino Abazaj, denounced the “massive political interventionism” of the Hungarian authorities in this case. He pointed out that there was not enough solid evidence to prove his client’s involvement in the alleged offences, adding that the accusations were aimed at her activism rather than any concrete actions. The Albanian anti-fascist activist, raised in Italy and living in Finland, is being held in Fresnes, France. The lawyer also expressed concern about the use of the French anti-terrorist services in the arrest of Mr Abazaj, which he described as a “worrying development”.
Damien Carême (French) condemned the political attacks on progressive activists, saying that “French justice would dishonour itself by responding to the demands of an illiberal regime like that of Viktor Orbán”.
The group also criticised the lack of fair trial guarantees in Hungary, citing pressure on the judiciary and the deterioration of the rule of law in the country. The speakers called on the European Commission to intervene to ensure respect for fundamental rights in these sensitive cases. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)