György (Gyuri) Budaházy actively participated in Hungarian politics for decades and was a founding member of several well-known Hungarian nationalist organizations. He rose to national prominence after the controversial 2002 elections, where he organized a blockade on the Elisabeth bridge in Budapest to protest the dubious election results that resulted in a questionable Left-Liberal victory. A powerful advocate for Hungarian nationalism, Budaházy hosted his own podcast (on which he interviewed me twice) and organized numerous cultural/political events throughout the country.
Budaházy was a leading figure in the 2006 Hungarian uprising, directing a group that tore down the Communist star from that hideous Soviet monument still standing in Budapest (long story) and threw it into the Danube. In addition, Budaházy organized several counter-attacks against repressive police forces that brutalized peaceful civilians and demonstrators alike. Following the uprising, the authorities hunted Budaházy and chased him into hiding for several months, during which time the prosecutors accused him of incitement. The courts later dismissed these charges on appeal.
Gyuri Budaházy and László Toroczkai have been very close friends since the 1990s. In 2007, they established the Hunnia movement to unite and support the Hungarian people living in the Carpathian Basin (more about this later). To this day, Toroczkai stands by his friend and continues to advocate for his release. Above all, Budaházy is surrounded by loyal family and friends who have spent decades fighting for his freedom. I want to mention Dr. Tamás Gaudi-Nagy and his National Legal Aid foundation for their years of dedication, as well as Gyuri's sister, Edda Budaházy, for her unwavering drive and passion. If one is to be judged by the friends and family who surround them, then Budaházy deserves a prominent place in the pantheon of our greatest Hungarian heroes.
Among many other activities, Budaházy was also a crown witness in the so-called Sukoró Casino scandal where he testified against corrupt politicians and greedy real estate developers. Some believe that this case was, at the very least, a partial motive to delegitimize, silence, and imprison him.
Since the 2006 uprising, Budaházy has been in and out of court and prison on several trumped-up charges.
The authorities accused Budaházy of establishing a terrorist organization known as Arrows of the Hungarians (Magyarok Nyilai), which allegedly threw firebombs into the empty homes of politicians and beat up a well-known Leftist media and political figure. These charges included allegations of plans to commit additional attacks against homosexual nightclubs and left-leaning businesses. The prosecution charged Budaházy and 16 Hungarian patriots with terrorism and other serious acts of sedition.
These allegations, however, were based on shady sources and flimsy evidence. Budaházy and the other accused patriots deny all allegations.
Furthermore, the prosecution claimed that Magyarok Nyilai was a militant wing of the Hunnia movement, but failed to produce any credible evidence. Regardless, this case is popularly known as the Hunnia-Trials.
In 2016, the courts sentenced Budaházy to 13 years in prison without parole, but reversed the sentencing in 2018 for lack of credible evidence. The courts set a retrial in 2018. During the retrial, Budaházy and the other defendants felt confident due to lack of evidence, but the courts convicted them in 2022, and the judge ordered an even harsher sentence.
As a result, these Hungarian political prisoners who were on trial for dubious charges were sentenced to over 100 years in prison!
Budaházy received 17 years without parole.
There's a lot more to this tragic story and it’s far from over, but I hope I successfully covered the essential message.
I consider György Budaházy a true Hungarian hero in the best sense of the word. He’s a son, brother, husband, father of three, and someone I'm honored to call a friend.
Budaházy is the best of us! He's a hero to us all!
Nothing was done to help Budaházy or any of these accused patriots during the past 12 years of Fidesz parliamentary rule. In spite of overwhelming popular support, the only political party to openly support Budaházy is Mi Hazánk Mozgalom. It's worth noting that Mi Hazánk Mozgalom goes to great lengths to avoid politicizing this cause for their own gain. Still, there is a glimmer of hope that Hungary's current President, Katalin Novák, will grant Gyuri and all the falsely convicted patriots the freedom they deserve!
We demand amnesty for all of the 2006 heroes who bravely stood up to the Liberal-Bolshevik worms who sought to oppress and exploit the Hungarian people!
We won't rest until you're free, brother!
Update: György Budaházy and 16 Hungarian nationalists were granted pardon on April 27, 2023, by Hungarian President Katalin Novák. President Novák justified her action by stating that the Papal visit was a special occasion for which the Head of State desired to exercise her right of pardon.
Budaházy and the 16 courageous patriots can now end this nightmare and move on after nearly 17 years of arduous legal battles, painful personal sacrifices, and constant disappointment. Nonetheless, we must remain vigilant as the Neo-Liberal Left seeks vengeance and will go to any length to re-incarcerate these great heroes if these parasites ever regain power in Hungary.