European Parliament lifts immunity of MEP Jana Nagyová

The European Parliament has removed the immunity of Czech MEP Jana Nagyová, a member of the Patriots for Europe group, in connection with an alleged EU subsidy fraud case. MEPs approved the decision during a plenary session in Strasbourg. Nagyová stated that she had expected the outcome and remains confident the court will ultimately rule in her favor for the third time.

Nagyová is accused, alongside former prime minister Andrej Babiš, of orchestrating the fraudulent withdrawal of the ‘Stork’s Nest’ congress centre from Babiš’s Agrofert conglomerate in 2007-2008, making it appear eligible for a €2 million EU grant intended for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Nagyová continues to assert her innocence, referencing two non-final court rulings that cleared her. The Legal Affairs Committee recommended the immunity removal in mid-March. Lifting immunity allows national authorities to move forward with legal proceedings but does not imply guilt.

The European Parliament has also waived the immunity of Czech-born German MEP Petr Bystroň, a member of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.