They call themselves the Hungarian Guard and they are growing in number. Six hundred far-right militants, wearing black uniforms and insignia which critics say are reminiscent of the Nazi-era, have taken an oath of loyalty to their country. The Hungarian Guard was launched in August with just 56 members. It drew widespread criticism because of the uniforms and the use of a red-and-white striped flag linked to the fascist “Arrow Cross” regime, which sent hundreds of thousands of Jews to war-time death camps.

The Hungarian Guard, backed by the Jobbik political party, denies it is anti-Semitic. Instead it says it is a civic group which wants to preserve national culture.

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