A criminal case has been opened in Hungary against a man who removed LGBT flags from a bridge in Budapest

In Budapest, a 58-year-old man became a defendant in a criminal case after removing LGBT flags from the Elizabeth Bridge. If found guilty, the suspect could face a fine of approximately 2.6 million forints and up to three years in prison on charges of causing significant property damage, according to The European Conservative.

The incident occurred on the eve of Budapest Pride. The man publicly removed dozens of Progress Pride flags—which had been displayed by order of Mayor Gergely Karácsony—and threw them into the Danube River. Law enforcement authorities identified the perpetrator, who, during questioning, did not deny his involvement and openly stated that he was proud of his actions, citing his personal beliefs as the reason.

The incident garnered widespread public attention and sparked a political debate. Representatives of the nationalist party “Our Homeland” (Mi Hazánk) expressed support for the man, promising to help him pay any potential fines and to present him with an award for “civil courage.” In response to the activists’ actions, Hungarian national flags were hung on the bridge, which, in turn, led to new incidents of desecration and the initiation of police investigations.

As a reminder, the Ukrainian public television channel “Suspilne” found itself at the center of public attention after publishing a series of social media posts dedicated to Pride Day. The broadcaster expressed solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, officially declaring its commitment to protecting rights and freedoms in the country.