European Parliament lifts immunity of two Greek MEPs

A plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels voted on Thursday to lift the immunity of Greek MEP Alexis Georgoulis who has been accused of rape and sexual abuse.

The MEP resigned from leftist SYRIZA on April 18 after European parliamentary authorities received a request to lift his immunity, as part of an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse three years ago. He denies the allegations.

In a statement, Georgoulis' lawyer Stamatia Malla said her client had personally proposed to the competent Belgian judicial authorities that he appear and provide explanations, but this was not possible as the process of waiving his immunity had not been concluded.

The plenary also voted to lift the immunity of MEP Maria Spyraki who is being investigated for alleged fraud against the EU budget. Spyraki's New Democracy membership was suspended for the duration of...