Request for the defence of parliamentary immunity of Lara Comi

The European Parliament voted to defend the immunity and privileges of Lara COMI (PPE, IT).

To recall, Lara Comi, MEP, requested the defence of her parliamentary immunity in relation to an action brought by the Public Prosecutions Department in Ferrara in response to a complaint alleging aggravated slander as referred to in Article 595(2) and (3) of the Italian Criminal Code and Article 30 of Law No 223 of 6 August 1990 on the basis of statements which she is alleged to have made during a political debate broadcast on television on 24 January 2013.

Recalling the fact that Article 8 of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union stipulates that Members of the European Parliament may 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, and that, in addition, the Court of Justice has recognised that a statement made by a Member beyond the precincts of the European Parliament may constitute an opinion expressed in the performance of their duties as referred to in Article 8 of the Protocol, the European Parliament considered that it should defend the immunity and privileges of Lara Comi.