Today’s verdict reflects the dangerous confluence of Hungary’s draconian counter-terrorism laws and its merciless crackdown on refugees and migrants.

Though Hungary’s draconian counter-terrorism laws remain in force and its crackdown on refugees persists, we hope this retrial will be at least a first step towards justice for Ahmed, who has already spent over two years in detention.

This is an important step on the path to justice for a man whose absurd conviction was based on the blatant misuse of terrorism provisions.

Authorities already have an array of security, surveillance and counter-terrorism measures at their disposal. This would be a disproportionate attack on privacy and free expression.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Time and again we have seen such measures used by governments to curb freedom of expression, and to control some people’s movements and associations

19/07/2016 – Joint Statement by Amnesty International, International Commission of Jurists, Open Society European Policy Institute and Open Society Justice Initiative

03/03/2016 – NGOs including Amnesty International have called on the European Union and its member states to honour their human rights obligations when creating and implementing counter-terrorism measures, and ensure these measures are compatible with the rule of law.

© Amnesty International