Hungary’s supreme court, or Curia, on Tuesday acquitted the former chairman of the Hungarian Workers’ Party 2006, Janos Fratanolo, of the misdemeanor of using the symbol of a totalitarian regime by wearing the communist red star.
The court was asked to rule on the matter in light of a decision by the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights, citing international law.
The Strasbourg court ruling of March 8 said that Hungary had been wrong to fine Fratanolo for wearing the red star during a television interview back in 2007.
Hungary argued that the televised appearance gave public exposure to one of the symbols of tyranny, which it said was illegal in Hungary.
