Budapest  - The Budapest Municipal Court on Tuesday evening ruled to disband the controversial Hungarian Guard, a uniformed extreme nationalist organization.

The ruling, which is still not legally binding because it has been appealed by the Hungarian Guard, came after a process that has dragged on for nearly a year.

The organization, founded in August 2007, has been accused of deliberately intimidating Roma communities with its marches against what it calls "gypsy crime."

The court found the group's activities violated laws governing associations. However members see themselves as part of the Hungarian Guard "movement." A "movement" has no legal definition in Hungary, and the laws that govern associations do not therefore apply to it, they claim.

The case was first brought by the Budapest chief prosecutor's office, asking the court to disband the extreme right-group that has raised fears in the Hungarian Jewish and Roma communities.

The group claims it aims only to safeguard Hungarian culture and values, but opponents insist that its black-and-white uniform is reminiscent of that of the World War II Hungarian fascist party.

The Hungarian Guard is an offshoot of the nationalist Jobbik Movement for a Better Hungary, which hopes to get a member into the European Parliament in the elections next year. It has been a familiar sight at anti-government and right-wing demonstrations in Hungary since August 2007.

The head of the Hungarian Guard association, Gabor Vona, who is also chairman of the Jobbik movement, said the group has the right to freedom of expression. Observers say that the court ruling may not bring about the end of the group's marches. (dpa)