Retrieval of Maja T.: Psychological torture” in Hungary’s prisons!

Retrieval of Maja T.: Psychological torture” in Hungary’s prisons!

The case of Maja T. is causing increasing tension and concern in German politics. The 26-year-old has been in solitary confinement in Hungary for over a year, which Heidi Reichinnek, the leader of the Left Party in the Bundestag, describes as “psychological torture”. She is calling for Maja T. to be returned to Germany in order to give her a fair trial there. Maja T. is associated with the radical left-wing “Hammer Gang” and is suspected of being involved in acts of violence against right-wing extremists in Budapest in February 2023.

As the World reports, Maja T. was arrested in Berlin in December 2023 and finally extradited to Hungary in June 2024. However, this extradition was classified as unlawful by the Federal Constitutional Court, but it came too late to protect Maja T. from the poor prison conditions. These also do not adequately take their identity as non-binary into account, which raises further concerns about humane treatment.

Prison conditions and protests

Maja T. went on hunger strike at the beginning of June to draw attention to her critical prison conditions. Reichinnek refers to the UN minimum principles for the treatment of prisoners, which classify isolation for more than 15 days as inhumane. “A fair trial in Hungary is not guaranteed,” said Reichinnek, who also criticized the upcoming trial in Hungary as politically motivated and a “farce”.

According to Hungarian authorities, those allegedly attacked by Maja T. were beaten with telescopic poles in February 2023, supporting allegations of alleged involvement in left-wing extremist activities. But doubts about the rule of law in Hungary are great, and Maja T.'s lawyers have tried to prevent the extradition - without success.

Political reactions and support

The case has also mobilized other politicians. Martin Schirdewan, chairman of the Left, and Martina Renner visited Maja T. in prison and spoke of depressing prison conditions. T.'s father, Wolfram Jarosch, also expresses concern about his daughter's well-being. In a show of solidarity, an online petition entitled “Get Maja back!” was launched, which has now collected over 64,000 signatures. The goal is at least 75,000 signatures.

This action fits into the broader context of legal issues and procedures within the EU. The European arrest warrant, which is used to exchange arrest and extradition requests between member states, becomes particularly relevant here. It is intended to promote mutual recognition of judicial decisions and stipulates that the procedural rights of suspects must be respected, which is called into question in this case. The interest in a fair trial and the possibility of lawful treatment of Maja T. are now the focus of the political discussion.