The European Parliament supported the removal of immunity from a German pro-Russian deputy

The Legal Committee of the European Parliament voted to strip Petr Bystron, a member of the right-wing populist party "Alternative for Germany," of his immunity. This is reported by UNN with reference to DW.

Details

It is noted that the official request to lift Bystron's immunity was received on August 27, 2024, from the German Federal Ministry of Justice.

After the dismissal of the Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, on July 12, 2022, Petr Bystron published a photomontage on social networks depicting high-ranking German officials, including Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz, allegedly raising their hands in a Hitler salute, with the caption "Goodbye, Melnyk! German politicians wave goodbye"

It is also reported that the Legal Committee of the European Parliament found no evidence of political persecution and decided that since Bystron was not a Member of the European Parliament at the time of the alleged crime, and the alleged crime and subsequent request to lift immunity are not related to either Bystron's opinion or vote in the performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament, his immunity should be lifted.

Now this issue will be put to a secret vote in the European Parliament at the next plenary session, which will take place from March 31 to April 3

As you know, Petr Bystron is known for his pro-Russian views. For example, he was involved in the activities of the pro-Kremlin media platform Voice of Europe. In addition, he opposes the supply of weapons to Ukraine, and at the end of 2022 he spent three days in Belarus, but hid his visit to this country.

Reminder

Austrian intelligence has uncovered a large-scale disinformation campaign by the Russian Federation aimed at discrediting Ukraine. A Bulgarian woman suspected of espionage is accused of spreading pro-Russian sentiments.