On January 5th, French courts were set to review the contentious case of Rexhino Abazaj, a 32-year-old Albanian antifascist arrested in Paris. Abazaj faces a European arrest warrant issued by Hungary, accusing him of violence during clashes that erupted on the outskirts of a neo-Nazi rally in Budapest in February 2023. The case, reported by the Swiss-Albanian outlet Le Canton27.ch, highlights growing concerns over European justice and political freedoms.
The Accusations and a Question of Fairness
According to Abazaj's lawyers, Laurent Pasquet-Marinacce and Youri Krassoulia, their client was participating in a "popular opposition mobilization" against the controversial “Day of Honor” event. This annual commemoration marks the escape attempt of Nazi and Hungarian collaborationist troops from Budapest in February 1945, as the Soviet Red Army advanced.
The charges against Abazaj are not isolated. Hungarian authorities are reportedly seeking the extradition of several individuals across the EU for their alleged involvement in these clashes. Among them is Ilaria Salis, an Italian activist arrested under similar circumstances. Salis spent over a year in what her legal team described as "inhumane and degrading" conditions before being placed under house arrest in May 2023. Now a member of the European Parliament, she faces Budapest's demand to lift her parliamentary immunity for trial.
Concerns Over Fundamental Rights
The potential extradition of Abazaj to Hungary raises alarms about the respect for fundamental rights in Viktor Orbán's Hungary—a country frequently criticized for undermining the rule of law. Abazaj’s lawyers fear their client will face an unfair trial and degrading treatment if handed over to Hungarian authorities.
In Wednesday's hearing before the investigative chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal, Abazaj, known as "Gino" to his family and friends, is expected to oppose the European arrest warrant. A refusal would initiate further proceedings in the coming weeks, with a final decision potentially taking months.
A Broader Symbol of Tensions
Beyond Abazaj’s individual fate, his case underscores the escalating tensions between Hungary’s nationalist government and European institutions. Orbán’s administration is often accused of curbing judicial independence and stifling fundamental freedoms. Critics argue that prosecuting antifascist activists, while overlooking the actions of far-right groups, reflects the Hungarian government’s authoritarian trajectory.
For many observers, cases like Abazaj’s highlight a troubling shift: a willingness by certain regimes to suppress dissent while tolerating the rise of neo-Nazi ideologies. This imbalance raises pressing questions about the European Union's commitment to protecting democratic principles within its borders.
A Challenge for European Judicial Cooperation
At the heart of this case lies the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), a tool designed to streamline the extradition of suspects among EU member states. The EAW operates on the principle of mutual trust in the judicial systems of participating countries. However, with the erosion of the rule of law in Hungary and parts of Central Europe, critics argue that greater safeguards are necessary before allowing such transfers. Some even advocate for the suspension of judicial cooperation with Budapest.
Wednesday’s hearing thus represents more than just a legal battle for Rexhino Abazaj. It is a litmus test for the European justice system’s ability to uphold fundamental rights in the face of potential state abuses. As the court deliberates, the case sends a clear signal: the EU’s commitment to justice, democracy, and human rights is on trial.