Maja T., a non-binary activist from Germany, has initiated a hunger strike on June 5 as a protest against alleged inhumane prison conditions in Hungary.

In a statement, Maja T. expressed distress over being subjected to continuous video surveillance in their cell and having to wear handcuffs outside of it for an extended period of seven months.

Maja T. has been imprisoned in solitary confinement in Budapest since their extradition from Germany in June 2024.

The legal troubles for Maja T. began after they were accused of assaulting and seriously injuring several individuals during a neo-Nazi event known as the "Day of Honor" in Budapest in February 2023. The Hungarian public prosecutor's office has charged Maja T. with multiple counts of grievous bodily harm, leading to potential imprisonment of up to 24 years under Hungarian law.

At the start of the trial, Maja T. was publicly escorted into the courtroom in handcuffs, shackles, and on a leash, which has drawn significant attention and criticism.

In a statement given during the proceedings, Maja T. criticized Hungary’s treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, remarking that it 'marginalizes and separates people because of their sexuality or gender.' The accused declined an offer from prosecutors for a guilty plea in exchange for a 14-year sentence, opting instead to share their perspective on the political implications of their case.

Maja T.’s extradition to Hungary has been deemed unlawful by the German Federal Constitutional Court, which highlighted numerous human rights violations including inadequate living conditions, poor hygiene, and treatment of prisoners in Hungarian facilities.

This ruling pointed to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, reinforcing the argument against extraditing individuals at risk of inhumane treatment.

Although the constitutional complaint regarding this extradition was acknowledged, it arrived post-extradition.

Maja T.’s family, particularly their father, has voiced concerns about the nature of the trial and the conditions under which Maja T. is being held.

Reports indicate that Maja T. has established a routine in confinement, involving exercise and pursuits like reading and writing, yet the psychological and physical toll of solitary confinement is evident.

Support for Maja T. has emerged from various political figures, including members from Germany's socialist Left Party and European Parliament representatives.

Carola Rackete, an MEP, visited Maja T. in detention, raising concerns over their solitary confinement, which is reportedly due to their non-binary identity.

Rackete has called for the German government to take a firmer stance regarding Hungary's treatment of detainees and alleged violations of human rights.

Amid Maja T.'s situation, six other individuals linked to the same incident in Budapest have managed to avoid extradition, choosing to surrender to German authorities in January.

Reports confirm that these individuals are unlikely to be sent to Hungary, given the priority of ongoing investigations in Germany.

The developments surrounding Maja T.'s case continue to draw attention to broader tensions regarding human rights and legal standards within the context of Hungary's political landscape.