Jobbik loses legal battle to keep paramilitary Hungarian Guard

The Hungarian Supreme Court has upheld a ban against the controversial paramilitary Hungarian Guard that is linked to the extreme-right Jobbik party. "Through its activities, the group has overstepped the boundaries of freedom of expression," the court said in its decision.

"We acknowledge, but do not accept the verdict," said Jobbik leader Gabor Vona, who was instrumental in setting up the paramilitary formation. Jobbik and representatives of the guard said they planned to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, since no further appeal is now possible in Hungary.

The nationalist group has been battling the courts since it was found guilty a year ago of violating the human rights of Roma villagers during an intimidating rally protesting what it calls "Gypsy crimes". The ruling was upheld by a court of appeal in July. Nevertheless, a week later, Jobbik held a mass rally in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, at which party leaders and hundreds of supporters donned the banned black, white and red uniform.

Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition center-right Fidesz party, former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, attempted to distance his party from Jobbik, which he called an “extremist scandal-party” which has “violence written on its flag.” He added: “Although Jobbik claims it’s a right-wing organization, it only discredits the right wing.”