The mayor of Budapest has been questioned by authorities as part of an investigation into his alleged involvement in an LGBTQ+ demonstration that was prohibited by Hungarian officials.
The event, held on June 28, proceeded despite warnings from the government, which had earlier enacted legislation barring such gatherings under child protection laws. Organizers reported an unprecedented turnout of around 200,000 participants, with the march quickly evolving into a broader protest against government policies.
Mayor Gergely Karacsony, who arrived at the National Bureau of Investigation wearing a rainbow-colored shirt featuring the city’s emblem, addressed supporters afterward, declaring, “Freedom and love cannot be outlawed in Budapest.” If found guilty of organizing the banned rally, he could face a year in prison.
Karacsony dismissed the allegations as baseless, telling reporters he would challenge the charges. “If something cannot be banned, it cannot be punished,” he asserted. Accompanied by legal counsel, he declined to answer investigators’ questions, instead submitting a prepared statement.
The march had been under scrutiny since March when Hungary’s government imposed restrictions on events deemed to promote homosexuality to minors. This is the latest in a series of measures targeting LGBTQ+ rights under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s administration, including the revocation of legal recognition for transgender individuals and prohibitions on LGBTQ+ content for young people.
Despite the ban, Karacsony insisted the city would proceed with the event as an official municipal function, arguing that local authorities had the right to hold such gatherings. Police later announced they would not penalize attendees, though the National Bureau of Investigation opened a case against an unnamed individual accused of orchestrating the march.
The demonstration drew widespread attention as one of the largest Pride events in Hungary’s history, signaling growing resistance to the government’s restrictive policies.
