Italian teacher held in Hungary for alleged assault released after being elected MEP
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Italian teacher held in Hungary for alleged assault released after being elected MEP
BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Italian anti-fascist activist Ilaria Salis was released from house arrest in Budapest after she was elected a member of the European Parliament (MEP) at the weekend, her lawyer Gyorgy Magyar told Reuters on Friday.
Members of the European Parliament hold strong legal immunity from prosecution, even if the allegations relate to offences allegedly committed before their election.
The 39-year-old teacher was charged last year in Hungary with taking part in an anti-fascist group's assaults on people they viewed as far-right activists. Salis and her family have said she is innocent.
The Budapest-Capital Regional Court will ask the European Parliament to suspend Salis' immunity as she is accused of violent crimes and her case is ongoing, the court said in a statement on Friday.
Police have removed the electronic bracelet from Salis' ankle, her lawyer said. Salis' father was expected to arrive in Budapest later on Friday to take her back to Italy, Magyar added.
Salis has been held in Hungary for more than a year in a case that prompted the Italian Green and Left Alliance to nominate her among their candidates at the European ballot.
