Nearly 300 people gathered in Paris on Sunday to demand that an Albanian anti-fascist activist not be extradited to Germany. Rexhino Abazaj, known as “Gino,” is wanted by German authorities for his involvement in a case of violence against a neo-Nazi parade in Hungary.
Abazaj is an Albanian "antifa" activist, but his extradition to Germany was ordered by French courts in mid-August. Earlier, French courts had refused to hand him over to Hungary on the grounds that his fundamental rights were at risk.
The Albanian man in his 30s, who has appealed the decision, is accused by Hungary of violence against neo-Nazis who marched in Budapest in February 2023, who were attacked with rubber batons and hammers. He faces a sentence of up to 24 years in prison in Hungary and up to 10 years in Germany, as some of the alleged victims are German citizens.
"I am a victim of political persecution," as part of a movement to "pursue anti-fascism across Europe," "Gino" told AFP at a rally in northeast Paris called by a support committee.
The activist facing extradition described the wait for the appeal hearing, during which he intends to "defend his arguments," as "stressful."
In April 2025, France refused to hand him over to Budapest, citing the "risks" of "inhumane treatment" in prison and uncertainty about guaranteeing a fair trial in that European Union country.
"The Court of Cassation will be the last possible appeal. There is a real risk that Gino will then be transferred to Hungary if he is extradited to Germany first. They did this with Maja as well. Germany handed him over," a spokesman for the Budapest Solidarity Committee explained to AFP.
In February, Hungarian justice sentenced Maja T., an activist extradited to Budapest from Germany, to 8 years in prison for the same case of violence against neo-Nazis.
In front of a black banner reading "Solidarity with Gino, no extraditions", several organizations and officials came out against the extradition. Also present was LFI MP Danièle Obono, who testified to her party's support for "all anti-fascist activists who are victims of repression by their countries".
At the end of September 2025, Hungary followed the American example by classifying the "antifa" movement as a "terrorist" organization. ©LAPSI.al
