Request for the waiver of parliamentary immunity of Krisztina Morvai

The European Parliament adopted a decision to waive the immunity of Krisztina MORVAI (NI, HU).

The request for waiver of the immunity of Krisztina Morvai forwarded by the Pest Central District Court in Budapest (Hungary) concerns alleged public defamation.

The charges against Morvai concern the alleged defamation of János Zombori, a Hungarian living in Germany whose divorce case was handled by Morvai when she was a lawyer and women's rights advocate. Morvai and others are accused of writing articles alleging Zombori abused his son, which were sent to media outlets. A Budapest court decided to file charges against Morvai and several other perpetrators in 2007.

In accordance with Article 8 of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union, Members of the European Parliament shall not be subject to any form of inquiry, detention or legal proceedings in respect of opinions expressed or votes cast by them in the performance of their duties. However, in the facts of the case, as manifested in the submissions from the Court to the Committee on Legal Affairs, it is indicated that the statements (which she acknowledged making) were made at a time when Krisztina Morvai was not a Member of the European Parliament.

Accordingly, Parliament has decided to lift Parliamentary immunity of Krisztina Morvai.