Budapest Mayor Under Police Investigation for Organizing Banned Pride March

The mayor's questioning follows the controversial march that defied government prohibitions, sparking a larger anti-government demonstration.

Budapest's Mayor Gergely Karacsony has been interrogated by police as a suspect linked to the organization of a banned LGBTQ+ pride march that transpired on June 28, despite explicit warnings of legal consequences from Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Earlier this year, Orban’s government enforced a law prohibiting the event.

In a surprising turn of events, over 200,000 individuals attended the rally, turning it into an anti-government demonstration amid threats from authorities. Adorning a rainbow T-shirt featuring Budapest’s coat of arms, Mayor Karacsony arrived at Hungary's National Bureau of Investigation. Outside the investigation building, he passionately declared, “Neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest.”

Should he be found guilty of organizing and inciting participation in the banned event, Karacsony could face a potential prison sentence of up to one year. Upon leaving the building after more than an hour of questioning, he responded to the nature of the accusations, stating, "I consider this to be unfounded and will lodge a complaint against it," while addressing around 200 supporters and media present.

The annual pride march had been at risk of cancellation since the government imposed new laws in March aimed at restricting gatherings under the guise of child protection from the public promotion of homosexuality—another measure in Orban's ongoing campaign against the LGBTQ+ community. In prior legislative actions, Hungary had eliminated legal recognition of transgender individuals in 2020 and outlawed the depiction of homosexuality to minors in 2021.

Despite the government's ban, Karacsony expressed his commitment, confirming, “Budapest city hall will organize the Budapest Pride march as a local event on June 28,” contending that the police had no legal grounds to prohibit a municipal event. Last month, police indicated they would not penalize participants who risked fines of up to €500 for joining the parade.

Currently, the National Bureau of Investigation is probing the situation, targeting an "unknown perpetrator" believed to have organized the rally. The Budapest Pride event historically attracts massive crowds that challenge Orban's legal threats, underscoring the community's resilience and determination.