Maja T. Reportedly to Receive Pacemaker While in Hungarian Custody

Thu 10th Jul, 2025

Maja T., a non-binary individual currently incarcerated in Hungary, is reported to be in serious health condition following a hunger strike that has persisted for over a month. This protest against the prison conditions is aimed at demanding a transfer to Germany.

Recent reports indicate that Maja T. has been moved to a prison clinic due to health concerns, where doctors are considering the implantation of a pacemaker. The individual's heart rate has reportedly dropped to as low as 30 beats per minute, which poses significant health risks.

Maja T., aged 24, faces charges related to violent acts against individuals perceived as right-wing extremists, allegedly committed during a protest against a neo-Nazi rally in Hungary in February 2023. After being captured in Berlin in December 2023, T. was extradited to Hungary, a move later deemed unlawfully executed by the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany due to inadequate assessment of the treatment of non-binary individuals in Hungarian prisons.

Since February 2025, Maja T. has been appearing before the Budapest City Court. The specific allegations have not been publicly acknowledged by T., who has also declined to admit guilt.

The hunger strike initiated by Maja T. is a response to inhumane prison conditions, including prolonged isolation and constant surveillance. T. has previously expressed the unbearable nature of the situation, citing a lack of privacy and excessive restraints.

The father of Maja T., Wolfram Jarosch, has been vocal about the need for better treatment and has condemned the current conditions as dangerous and cruel. He has called for the immediate return of his child to Germany and has stated that any forced medical procedure, such as the installation of a pacemaker, would be unacceptable, especially since the low heart rate is attributed to the ongoing hunger strike.

Despite numerous appeals for intervention, including a petition with 100,000 signatures submitted to the German government, legal avenues for Maja T.'s return remain limited. The Hungarian courts have rejected a request for house arrest, citing perceived flight risk due to the potential for a lengthy prison sentence.

Advocates, including notable politicians and human rights activists, are urging the German government to secure a fair trial for Maja T. in Germany, emphasizing the urgent need to address the isolation and harsh treatment faced in Hungarian detention facilities. The European Commission has criticized Hungary for its failure to uphold the rule of law, which has resulted in the freezing of significant funds from the European Union due to ongoing human rights violations.

As the situation develops, calls for Maja T.'s humane treatment and fair legal proceedings continue to grow, reflecting broader concerns regarding the treatment of marginalized individuals in the justice system.


More Quick Read Articles »