A German national has ended a hunger strike in a Hungarian jail after just over five weeks, the activist's father and support group reported on Monday, reported dpa.
Maja T is on trial in Budapest for alleged bodily harm during protests against right-wing extremists in February 2023.
Maja T faces a sentence of up to 24 years in prison. The activist had hoped that the hunger strike would force better detention conditions and a transfer back to Germany.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently promised to advocate for better conditions for Maja T in talks with the government in Budapest.
The minister told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) German media group that Maja T was "facing the most serious allegations." He added, "Even in Germany, Maja T would therefore have to expect criminal proceedings."
Maja T uses the descriptor non-binary, meaning not fitting into traditional gender roles, and prefers the gender-neutral pronoun "they" to "he" or "she."
According to supporters, Maja T lost around 14 kilograms due to the hunger strike. Their heart rate reportedly dropped to 30 at times.
Doctors considered fainting spells or even cardiac arrest possible and feared irreversible organ damage.
On July 1, Maja T was transferred from pre-trial detention in Budapest to a prison hospital in the south-east of the country. Maja T complained about the isolation in a cell and sleep deprivation due to hourly checks.
Maja T was arrested in Berlin in December 2023 and extradited to Hungary in June 2024, despite the Federal Constitutional Court prohibiting this. However, the decision from Karlsruhe came a few minutes too late.
- German activist
- Hunger strike
- Hungarian prison
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
