Hungary detaining far-left protester sparks German anxieties
In a troubling turn of events, Maja T., a German non-binary activist, is currently in a critical health condition after a forty-day hunger strike. The activist, who was extradited to Hungary last summer, has lost 14 kilograms, suffered damage to their liver and kidneys, and has dangerously low blood counts. Despite their dire state, Maja T. remains resolute, vowing to continue their fight for justice and humane prison conditions.
The legal saga began in December 2023 when Maja T. was extradited to Hungary following an arrest in Berlin. The extradition, which was later declared illegal by Germany’s federal court, was in connection with an alleged attack on far-right activists during the "Day of Honour" neo-Nazi rally in Budapest in February 2023. The charges carry a potential sentence of up to 24 years in prison.
Since June 2024, Maja T. has been held in isolation in Hungary and went on trial in February 2025 for four counts of attempted assault against far-right activists. On July 1, 2025, they were transferred to a hospital due to the severity of their health decline. The German government has expressed "great concern" and the German embassy has visited them in the hospital.
Activists and supporters are actively pressuring for Maja T.'s return to house arrest in Germany to ensure fair trial conditions and humane treatment. Maja T. continues to demand a return to house arrest in Germany to be able to prepare for trial under equitable conditions and to avoid being "buried alive in a cell."
The German government is in close contact with Maja T.'s family, demonstrating their continued support and concern for the activist's wellbeing. Maja T.'s Hungarian lawyer, Tamas Bajaky, has reported that Maja T. is threatened with "permanent organ damage." According to a report by Maja T.'s family, the activist has lost 14 kilograms and is in a critical health condition.
The case has sparked widespread concern and protests, with activists calling for Maja T.'s return to Germany. The German embassy in Budapest has visited Maja T. in the hospital, demonstrating their continued engagement in the case. The controversy surrounding Maja T.'s extradition and current health condition has highlighted the potential dangers of extradition to countries with potentially dangerous prison conditions, particularly for marginalised groups such as LGBTQ individuals.
- The ongoing saga surrounding Maja T., a German non-binary activist, has extended to various aspects of society, with concerns being raised not only in the realm of health-and-wellness but also in general-news, politics, and the discussion of war-and-conflicts, as the potential dangers of extradition to countries with potentially harmful prison conditions are highlighted, especially for marginalized groups like LGBTQ individuals.
- Despite being critically ill following a prolonged hunger strike, Maja T. continues to take an active role in the political landscape, using their voice to demand a return to house arrest in Germany to prepare for trial under equitable conditions and avoid further health deterioration, prompting calls for justice and humane treatment from science, health-and-wellness, politics, and general-news worldwide.
