Budapest - Hungarian police on Saturday raided a compound of several hundred members of a right-wing extremist group, in a move to counter extremism in the country, the police officials in Budapest reported.

Around 500 new recruits of the paramilitary organization formerly known as the Hungarian Guard were taking part in an oath-taking ceremony on a private property near the town of Szentendre outside of Budapest, when hundreds of officers surrounded the area.

Police took the personal details of all the participants and plan to initiate criminal proceedings against them, officials said.

The organization, which was declared illegal two months ago and which which is now calling itself the New Hungary Guard, has caused fear and intimidation with its marches through Roma settlements.

In the town of Szentendre, a sub-organization called the Gendarmerie of the Hungarian Guard was also formed, police said.

Gabor Vona, Hungarian Guard founder and chairman of the rightwing Jobbik (the Superior) party, said his organization would sue the police for "trespassing" on private property in the Szentendre action.

Jobbik won 15 per cent of votes in the last European election, and is represented in a number of local constituencies in Hungary, though not yet on the national level. (dpa)