Hungarian far-right celebrates anniversary of militia group

Hundreds of extreme-right activists celebrated Saturday the fifth anniversary of the creation of the Hungarian Guard, a now-banned paramilitary branch of the ultra-national Jobbik party. Organisers had expected at least 2,000 people to attend the event, but only a few hundred turned out as temperatures neared 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). The Hungarian Guard was banned in 2009 after it staged regular marches through Roma settlements with violent speeches defending the Hungarian nation. Since then, former members have formed other groups with names such as the National Regiment and the New Hungarian Guard. Police initially banned the demonstration, but organisers appealed to the courts and eventually won the right to gather. About 200 demonstrators wore Hungarian Guard uniforms, resembling those of Hungary's Nazi Arrow Cross Party during World War II. Dozens of anti-fascist activists staged a counter-protest but the demonstration passed without incident. In 2010 elections, Jobbik garnered 17 percent of the vote to become the Hungary's third-biggest party.