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 .

The Committee on Legal Affairs unanimously adopted the report drafted by Eva LICHTENBERGER (Greens/EFA, AT) in which it called on the European Parliament 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.

To recall, on 14 April 2005, Mr János Zombori, a resident of Germany, filed a complaint with the National Police Department in Budapest, Hungary, against “unknown perpetrators” for the offence of public defamation which referred to a large number of media reports in printed articles, on the Internet and on television dating from March and April 2005 in which Mr Zombori was alleged to have physically and mentally abused his son. These allegations multiplied in May and July of the same year.

After hearing the complainant on 6 December 2006, the Court directed that an investigation be initiated. As a result of this investigation, a list of names of alleged perpetrators, which included Krisztina Morvai, was presented and registered with the Court on 12 February 2007, and the complainant stated on 14 March 2007 that he wished the proceedings against all the alleged perpetrators to go ahead.

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, the committee recommends that the European Parliament waive immunity of Krisztina Morvai .