‘Far right’ means patriotic in Newspeak
Hungarian police used teargas to disperse a protest by a bannedfar-right group in the centre of Budapest on Saturday and detainedclose to 200 people, police and witnesses said.
National newsagency MTI said police also detained the chairman of the far-rightJobbik party, Gabor Vona. Local website Index said he was detained aspart of the protests. Police would not confirm the reports.
Acourt ruled on Thursday the Hungarian Guard, backed by Jobbik which won3 seats in European elections last month, must be dissolved because itsmarches have fueled ethnic tensions and led to a disruption of publicorder.(Wrong. The Hungarian authorities fueled ethnic tensions by allowing historically well known criminal aliens into Hungary and giving them protected status. — Ed)
The Guard has rejected the court ruling and said members would continue their activities.
A police spokeswoman said Saturday’s demonstration of about 200 peoplewas held without permission and cited Thursday’s court ruling to sayguard members could not wear their black uniforms in a public place.
“So far today police have detained about 110 people (in Budapest), ofwhom around 100 were detained from the demonstration,” policespokeswoman Eva Tafferner told Reuters.
She said about 30 people were treated for light injuries.
A police statement said later at 1945 GMT that the number of detained rose to 184.
A Reuters photographer said police removed protesters one by one from acentral square and used tear gas against some demonstrators.
Politicians, human rights activists and Roma rights activists havecriticised the Guard for staging intimidating marches nationwide toprotest against the spread of petty crime it says is mostly committedby Roma. Critics say its black uniform and insignia are reminiscent ofthe Nazi era.
Hungary has one of the largest Roma communities in eastern Europe, accounting for 5-7 percent of its 10 million population.
Based on recent polls, Jobbik (“For a Better Hungary”) would get seatsin the Hungarian parliament if elections were held now. Elections aredue next year.