Hungarian Police arrest organizer of ultra-right anti-Roma provocation

Hungarian Police have called on those attending a training camp organized by the ultra-right extremist paramilitary organization Véderő (Defense) near the homes of Roma residents of the north Hungarian village of Gyöngyöspata to immediately cease their activities. Police then arrested the camp organizer and his two assistants, the MTI press agency reports.

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Vigilantes force Hungarian Roma out of village

The Hungarian Red Cross evaluated Roma children and women from the village this morning due to the ultra-right radicals’ provocation and 400 police officers surrounded the camp. Shortly before 16:30 CET, when the training was to officially begin, police called on the ultra-right extremists in military uniforms to leave the scene immediately. Most of the ultra-right radicals obeyed the police order, but some remained in the camp. Police then arrested the main organizer of the provocation and his two assistants. The ultra-right extremists now face fines that will be the equivalent of CZK 10 000.

Véderő members visited the village a week ago to find an appropriate place for a training ground. According to the ultra-right radicals’ website, a three-day training camp was to have started today welcoming “all youths and adults who love their country and are interested in learning more about warfare and the basics of self-defense.”