Latest news with #30thPride
Japan Today
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Budapest mayor questioned as a suspect over Pride march
If eventually charged and convicted for the alleged offence, he could spend up to a year in prison Hungary's police on Friday questioned the mayor of Budapest as a suspect for having organised the city's 30th Pride parade, which in June attracted a record turnout despite an official ban. If the environmentalist mayor Gergely Karacsony is charged and convicted, he could spend up to a year in prison for organising and encouraging participation in a banned rally. "They described the accusation. I said that I considered this to be unfounded and that I will lodge a complaint against it," Karacsony told journalists after having been questioned for more than an hour. He did not answer any questions posed by investigators, but contested the accusations levelled against him on legal grounds, he added. Karacsony said he thought the investigation would likely be put to rest ahead of next year's election. Police confirmed to AFP that "an interrogation of a suspect" as part of an ongoing probe took place on Friday, but declined to say who they had questioned. Karacsony wore a T-shirt featuring the capital's coat of arms overlaid with rainbow colours when he arrived at the headquarters of Hungary's top investigative authority. He addressed a few hundred supporters gathered outside, saying Budapest Pride showed that "neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest. "And if it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished," he added. Pride organisers said more than 200,000 people took part in the June 28 parade in what they said was a rebuke of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's years-long clampdown on LGBTQ rights in the name of "child protection". After the nationalist leader declared his intention to ban this year's celebration, his ruling coalition in parliament passed new laws to prohibit the annual parade. Budapest city hall stepped in to co-organise the event, arguing the police cannot legally ban a municipal event. Before the march, Orban warned organisers and attendees of "legal consequences". The National Bureau of Investigation -- tasked with investigating serious and complex crimes -- later launched a probe against an "unknown perpetrator" for organising a banned rally. But police announced last month they would not take action against participants, who could have faced fines up to 500 euros ($570) for attending the Pride parade. © 2025 AFP
NDTV
01-08-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Defiant Budapest Mayor Questioned Over Pride March
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony was defiant Friday as he arrived for questioning over the city's 30th Pride parade that attracted a record turnout despite an official ban. Karacsony wore a T-shirt featuring the capital's coat of arms overlaid with rainbow colours when he entered the headquarters of Hungary's top investigative authority. If the environmentalist mayor is charged and convicted, he could spend up to a year in prison for organising a banned rally. "At Budapest Pride, a great many of us signalled to the whole world that neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest," he said. "And if it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished," he told a few hundred supporters gathered outside. Organisers said more than 200,000 people took part in the June 28 parade in what they claimed was a rebuke of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's years-long clampdown on LGBTQ rights in the name of "child protection". After the nationalist leader declared his intention to ban this year's celebration, his ruling coalition in parliament passed new laws to prohibit the annual parade. Budapest city hall then stepped in to co-organise the event, arguing the police could not ban a municipal event. Before the march, Orban warned organisers and attendees of "legal consequences". The National Bureau of Investigation -- tasked with investigating serious and complex crimes -- later launched a probe against an "unknown perpetrator" for organising a banned rally. But police announced last month they would not take action against participants, who could have faced fines up to 500 euros for attending the Pride parade.
Toronto Sun
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Budapest mayor questioned as a suspect over Pride march
If eventually charged and convicted for the alleged offence, he could spend up to a year in prison Photo by Attila Volgyi / AFP Budapest (AFP) — Hungary's police on Friday questioned the mayor of Budapest as a suspect for having organized the city's 30th Pride parade, which in June attracted a record turnout despite an official ban. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account If the environmentalist mayor Gergely Karacsony is charged and convicted, he could spend up to a year in prison for organizing and encouraging participation in a banned rally. 'They described the accusation. I said that I considered this to be unfounded and that I will lodge a complaint against it,' Karacsony told journalists after having been questioned for more than an hour. He did not answer any questions posed by investigators, but contested the accusations levelled against him on legal grounds, he added. Karacsony said he thought the investigation would likely be put to rest ahead of next year's election. Police confirmed to AFP that 'an interrogation of a suspect' as part of an ongoing probe took place on Friday, but declined to say who they had questioned. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Karacsony wore a T-shirt featuring the capital's coat of arms overlaid with rainbow colours when he arrived at the headquarters of Hungary's top investigative authority. A few hundred demonstrators staged a protest outside the headquarters of Hungary's top investigative authority. (Attila Volgyi/AFP) Photo by Attila Volgyi / AFP He addressed a few hundred supporters gathered outside, saying Budapest Pride showed that 'neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest. 'And if it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished,' he added. Pride organizers said more than 200,000 people took part in the June 28 parade in what they said was a rebuke of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's years-long clampdown on LGBTQ rights in the name of 'child protection'. After the nationalist leader declared his intention to ban this year's celebration, his ruling coalition in parliament passed new laws to prohibit the annual parade. Budapest city hall stepped in to co-organise the event, arguing the police cannot legally ban a municipal event. Before the march, Orban warned organisers and attendees of 'legal consequences'. The National Bureau of Investigation — tasked with investigating serious and complex crimes — later launched a probe against an 'unknown perpetrator' for organising a banned rally. But police announced last month they would not take action against participants, who could have faced fines up to 500 euros ($570) for attending the Pride parade. Toronto & GTA Canada World Sunshine Girls Columnists
Int'l Business Times
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Budapest Mayor Questioned As A Suspect Over Pride March
Hungary's police on Friday questioned the mayor of Budapest as a suspect for having organised the city's 30th Pride parade, which in June attracted a record turnout despite an official ban. If the environmentalist mayor Gergely Karacsony is charged and convicted, he could spend up to a year in prison for organising and encouraging participation in a banned rally. "They described the accusation. I said that I considered this to be unfounded and that I will lodge a complaint against it," Karacsony told journalists after having been questioned for more than an hour. He did not answer any questions posed by investigators, but contested the accusations levelled against him on legal grounds, he added. Karacsony said he thought the investigation would likely be put to rest ahead of next year's election. Police confirmed to AFP that "an interrogation of a suspect" as part of an ongoing probe took place on Friday, but declined to say who they had questioned. Karacsony wore a T-shirt featuring the capital's coat of arms overlaid with rainbow colours when he arrived at the headquarters of Hungary's top investigative authority. He addressed a few hundred supporters gathered outside, saying Budapest Pride showed that "neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest. "And if it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished," he added. Pride organisers said more than 200,000 people took part in the June 28 parade in what they said was a rebuke of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's years-long clampdown on LGBTQ rights in the name of "child protection". After the nationalist leader declared his intention to ban this year's celebration, his ruling coalition in parliament passed new laws to prohibit the annual parade. Budapest city hall stepped in to co-organise the event, arguing the police cannot legally ban a municipal event. Before the march, Orban warned organisers and attendees of "legal consequences". The National Bureau of Investigation -- tasked with investigating serious and complex crimes -- later launched a probe against an "unknown perpetrator" for organising a banned rally. But police announced last month they would not take action against participants, who could have faced fines up to 500 euros ($570) for attending the Pride parade.
The Sun
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Budapest mayor to face police questioning over banned Pride march
BUDAPEST: Police will question Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony as a suspect for organising the city's 30th Pride parade, which authorities had banned earlier this year. The mayor's office confirmed the summons to AFP on Thursday, stating he will be questioned next week. The June event saw a record turnout, with organisers estimating over 200,000 participants. Many viewed the march as a protest against Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government, which has tightened restrictions on LGBTQ rights under the banner of 'child protection.' In February, Orban announced plans to ban the annual Pride celebration. His ruling coalition later passed legislation prohibiting such events, prompting Budapest city hall to step in as co-organiser in an attempt to bypass the new rules. Despite this, police enforced the ban, with Orban warning of 'legal consequences' for attendees. 'The mayor was summoned as a suspect by the investigating authority and will be questioned next week,' the mayor's office told AFP. Police have already launched an investigation against an 'unknown perpetrator' for organising an unauthorised rally. If formally charged, Karacsony could face up to a year in prison. Karacsony, an environmentalist and opposition figure, defended his actions on Facebook, writing, 'I became a suspect, and if that is the price we have to pay in this country for standing up for our own freedom and that of others, then I am proud of it.' Orban previously condemned the Pride march as a 'disgrace,' while his government accused the opposition of acting 'at Brussels' command' to impose 'woke culture' on Hungary. Despite threats of fines up to 500 euros ($590), police later announced they would not penalise attendees. – AFP
