The European Parliament has decided to lift the immunity of Petr Bystron, MEP, following a request from German judicial authorities. This decision concerns a criminal procedure regarding the alleged use of symbols of unconstitutional organisations. The case dates back to social media posts from 2022.
The procedure is based on Protocol No 7 on the privileges and immunities of the EU and the Parliament's Rules of Procedure. The objective is to allow German justice to continue a criminal investigation while respecting the principle that immunity protects the exercise of parliamentary functions, not personal acts.
The decision takes effect immediately after its adoption. The President of the Parliament is tasked with notifying the lifting of immunity to the competent authorities in Germany. The criminal procedure, suspended since July 2024, can thus resume before the Munich District Court.
This decision demonstrates that parliamentary immunity is not a personal privilege but a guarantee for the independence of the Parliament. Citizens can see that MEPs are subject to the same legal rules as all citizens for acts outside their mandate. The case underlines the importance of respecting constitutional symbols in public space.