Widespread fines spark debate over police response to recent protests in Budapest
Protests in Budapest have come under the spotlight after dozens of demonstrators were hit with fines, raising concerns about heavy-handed policing and the right to protest.
Widespread fines as response to protests in Budapest
As 444.hu reports, recent weeks have seen waves of protests in Budapest, including occupations of the Liberty (Szabadság) Bridge and demonstrations outside the state media, Media Services and Support Trust Fund (MTVA), headquarters. Protesters have shared personal accounts of how they were treated during these events, with many reporting fines of HUF 84,500 (EUR 207) regardless of the circumstances. In some cases, individuals were fined even while standing on the pavement or attempting to leave peacefully. One protester recounted how she was arrested despite wanting to comply, while another received the same fine for standing beside the road as her partner who had blocked traffic.
Dozens of demonstrators have reported receiving identical fines, suggesting a blanket approach by the authorities. A few, deemed “repeat offenders”, were fined HUF 104,000 (EUR 255) after returning to protests in Budapest more than once. In official documents, the police include warnings of harsher consequences for future offences. One protester noted she had accumulated HUF 274,000 (EUR 671) in fines across several demonstrations. The standard fine remains the same even in varied scenarios, whether someone stayed on the pavement or stood directly on the roadway.
The basis of the fines
Documents submitted by protesters reveal that the police consistently cite Article 21(1) of the Highway Code, which mandates pedestrians to walk on pavements where available. Yet the case descriptions differ widely, from individuals holding banners in traffic lanes to others who remained on the road despite available walkways. For MTVA protests in Budapest, authorities also invoke Article 3(1)(c), requiring participants not to endanger safety or obstruct traffic. Many fined individuals have contested the charges, supported by civil rights organisations such as the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ), the Two-tailed Dog Party, and Momentum.
Nothing new
This strategy of heavy-handed fines is not new. Similar tactics were used during student protests in 2018 and other movements in recent years. While some cases have been overturned in court, such as a 2020 COVID-related fine being dropped, many protesters feel that authorities are using penalties to discourage public dissent. Rights groups have previously criticised this approach, calling it an unlawful deterrent against spontaneous democratic expression.
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