Full Report
A photograph of the advertisement for the two-day concert on Blood & Honour Hungary’s website (Photo: Michael Colborne) The post Neo-Nazis Linked to “Terrorist Activities” to Host Budapest Concert appeared first on bellingcat.
Analysis Summary
# Main Topic
Neo-Nazi organizations, specifically the Hungarian affiliate of the international network **Blood & Honour (B&H)**, are organizing a two-day concert in Budapest, an event linked to groups suspected of involvement in **terrorist activities** by the UK government.
## Key Points
- The concert features "More than 10 bands from Europe" and is specifically timed to coincide with events honoring Nazi and collaborationist forces who attempted to flee Budapest in February 1945 (known as the 'Day of Honour').
- These concerts serve as a significant source of revenue for far-right groups through ticket sales and merchandise.
- Organizers only accept cash payments.
- Previous related events featured merchandise utilizing open Nazi symbolism, such as a 'Totenkopf over a swastika with text reading ‘White Power’.'
- Another recent neo-Nazi concert in Csömör utilized misdirection, reportedly renting a community hall under the false pretense of a private birthday party.
## Threat Actors
- **Blood & Honour (B&H) Hungary:** The primary organizer, identified as a Hungarian affiliate of an international right-wing terrorist network.
- **B&H International Network:** The overall UK-founded network, which the UK government suspects is involved in terrorist activity.
- **Legio Hungaria:** A far-right group led by a former B&H member, which has jointly organized events with C18's Hungarian affiliate and has historical ties to a B&H founder tribute.
- **Combat 18 (C18) Hungarian affiliate:** Mentioned in connection with joint organizational efforts with Legio Hungaria.
- **Tomasz Szkatulski:** A French neo-Nazi and B&H affiliate whose fashion brand anniversary was the focus of the October 2024 concert in Csömör.
## TTPs
- **Event Organization:** Hosting large, multi-day, international concerts disguised or promoted as cultural tributes ('Day of Honour').
- **Financial Operations:** Relying on cash-only payments for ticket sales (€30 advertised fee for the upcoming B&H event; €45 for the previous two-day event) and in-person merchandise sales.
- **Deception/Cover:** Renting venues (e.g., community hall in Csömör) under false pretenses (e.g., claiming an arrangement for a private birthday party).
- **Propaganda & Recruitment:** Using concerts to distribute propaganda materials and operate "recruitment stations" (as noted by Legio Hungaria in 2020).
- **Symbolism:** Displaying explicit Nazi symbolism on merchandise.
## Affected Systems
- **Physical Venues:** Community halls, private land locations in and around Budapest, Hungary.
- **Financial Systems:** Relying on cash transactions to avoid digital tracking.
## Mitigations
- **Law Enforcement Action:** Experts express concern that state security authorities might allow the event to proceed without strong intervention, stressing the need for firm, unambiguous action against extremist manifestations.
- **Financial Vigilance:** Recognizing concerts as revenue sources for extremist groups.
- **Venue Vetting:** Increased scrutiny on bookings for large private gatherings, particularly those involving known extremist networks.
## Conclusion
The planned Budapest concert represents a continuation of organized extremist activity by the B&H network and its affiliates, leveraging music events for networking, ideological reinforcement, and crucial revenue generation. While Hungarian police have stated a commitment to zero tolerance, the pattern of hosting significant events—sometimes using deceptive booking methods—suggests ongoing operational longevity. Monitoring event financing (cash flow) and identifying the actual private venues prior to the event are critical for timely intervention.