Update on Budapest demonstrations (Fri., 11:00 CET)

Following are the most recent important developments relating to this week's unrest in Budapest:

• Four Russian nationalists threw ink bottles at the Hungarian embassy in Moscow as response to the defacing of the Soviet monument on Szabadság tér on Monday. Hungary has expressed apology and promised a quick repair.

• Miklós Patrubány, president of the World Federation of Hungarians (MVSZ) criticized opposition party Fidesz in his speech on Kossuth tér last night, because the party did not "exploit the historical opportunity" and decided to postpone its main rally planned for Saturday. Protesters whistled at another speaker who criticized Fidesz for the same reason, then added that the party's slogan, "Go Hungary!," is merely an encouragement from the side of the field, "but on the field, on Kossuth tér, we say, 'After me, Hungary!'" György Budaházy, wanted for participating in the assault on the headquartes of the Hungarian Television (MTV) on Monday, also gave a speech. Police officers did not intervene.

• László Garamvölgyi, spokesperson of the National Police (ORFK) this morning denied press reports that said more than one police officers participated in the assault on the television headquarters on Monday. He said the officer who was recognized by his colleagues in the footage was taken into custody.

• Early this morning, unknown perpetrators poured flammable liquid on the office building of the Socialist Party (MSZP) in Újpest and set it alight. Nobody was injured; the damage is not considerable.

• According to the latest poll by Szonda Ipsos, the majority of Hungarians think Fidesz is in part responsible for the violence of recent days. Meanwhile, another poll conducted by Szonda Ipsos shows that Fidesz has taken the lead: 34% of respondents support Fidesz and 22% the Socialist Party.

• The cyclist rally "Critical Mass" planned for Friday, September 22nd, was canceled by organizers out of fear that it could be used for a political purpose.

• Around 30 protesters woke up on Kossuth tér on Friday morning. One of them said he had been there since Tuesday and did not know when he could go to home to Csömör, because his money had been stolen. Another protester from Sopron said he had arrived with forty-five of his friends - some of whom could find a place to stay - and would not leave until the prime minister resigns.

Thursday, September 21

• Opposition party Fidesz has decided to postpone its main rally planned for this Saturday, September 23rd, until after the local elections. The party says state authorities are not capable of ensuring the safety of the event.

• A message spreading in e-mail asks Budapesters who condemn violence to put a white flag in their windows. The unknown authors of the letter write they do not want to organize a political event, only live in a peaceful city.

• The damage caused in violent clashed between rioters and police in the past few days in Budapest is Ft 150 million (€545,950).

• Television station RTL Klub fired soccer commentator Flórián Urbán, because he participated in the assault on the headquarters of the Hungarian Television (MTV) on Monday.

• Following a series of confrontations last night between rioters and the police, 55 people were taken into custody and 17 needed to be hospitalized. "Accelerated" legal proceedings have been started against detained protestors.

• As of this morning, only a few dozen protesters remain on Kossuth tér, in front of the Hungarian Parliament. Some of the protestors confirmed to the media that a few "agitators" have been responsible for the violence and tension. Last night some of those protesting peacefully decided to send a delegation to State President László Sólyom to propose a "National Round Table" (Nemzeti Kerekasztal) to deal with the country's political unrest.

• An English-speaking woman who brought several kitchen knives to Kossuth tér was led away by police this morning. She said she had come to Hungary to protest for the removal of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány.

• Despite earlier plans, neither former US President George Bush nor Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice are likely to come to Hungary for the 50th anniversary of the 1956 revolution next month.

• Local sporting goods stores have sold their entire stocks of baseball bats, state news wire MTI reported yesterday. MTI had surveyed stores because footage of some protests in Budapest showed rioters hitting a police car with baseball bats.

• A larger than normal contingent of bodyguards is accompanying Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, and his home is being secured by police officers. He was also offered a safer vehicle than the current, but he did not accept it.

• At least two agitators were apprehended last night in Pécs trying to cause trouble at an otherwise peaceful demonstration. Meanwhile, unknown perpetrators broke the glass door of the local headquarters of the governing Socialist Party (MSZP) and painted "Death to MSZP!" on another of the party's office buildings.

• Budapest's Eastern Railway Station (Keleti pályaudvar) was closed this morning at 7:45 due to a bomb scare. Service returned to normal a little after 9 a.m. as no explosives were found.

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