French Far-right Leader Stripped of Immunity

AL JAZEERA: Marine Le Pen loses legal immunity as EU Parliament deputy, exposing her to possible prosecution over racism charge.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been stripped of her European Parliament immunity and may now face charges of racism over comments she made comparing Muslims praying on streets to Nazi occupation during World War II.

Parliamentarians voted on Tuesday to ratify the decision, as recommended by a judicial committee, so that Le Pen, who leads the French National Front party, could defend herself against a charge of inciting racial hatred brought by French prosecutors in 2011.

Le Pen, who was present for the vote, said she stood behind her comments and looked forward to defending them in front of a judge.

"I'm going to defend myself ... and I'm absolutely convinced that the court will rule in my favour and protect my right to say to the French the truth about the situation, notably prayers in the streets but not only that," Le Pen said in an interview on French television.

If found guilty of inciting racial hatred, she would face a maximum penalty of one year in prison and $60,000 in fines. » | Source: Agencies | Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Libya Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa Must Face Atrocities Trial, Rebels Declare
THE GUARDIAN: Rebel leadership wants defector returned and tried for crimes against humanity once Gaddafi is toppled

Libya's rebel leadership has called for Moussa Koussa, the former Libyan foreign minister who has defected to the UK, to be returned for trial for murder and crimes against humanity after Muammar Gaddafi is toppled.

Mustafa Gheriani, a spokesman for the revolutionary council in its de facto capital, Benghazi, said that the rebels were not bent on revenge against the regime's officials but that some of Gaddafi's closest associates "have a lot of blood on their hands" and must stand trial.

The British foreign secretary, William Hague, has said that Britain is not offering Koussa immunity from prosecution, and called for other regime figures to abandon Gaddafi.

Gheriani alleged that Koussa had been partly responsible for assassinating opposition figures in exile, murderous internal repression and the Lockerbie plane bombing.

"We want to bring him to court," Gheriani said. "This guy has so much blood on his hands. There are documented killings, torturing. There's documentation of what Moussa Koussa has done. We want him tried by Libyan people. I believe once we have our government 100% in control in Libya, things are normalised, we want him tried here. I think international law gives us that right."

Gheriani said it was up to Britain to decide whether to arrest Koussa in the meantime. Koussa's arrival in London was evidence that Gaddafi's regime was "starting to crumble". He expected other senior officials to follow.

"He is a very, very major person to defect. Gaddafi trusted him more than some of his sons. Now Gaddafi doesn't even trust his own people any more," Gheriani said. » | Chris McGreal in Benghazi | Thursday, March 31, 2011

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Seeking Immunity
ASHARQ ALAWSAT: Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat – Independent Arab and Libyan sources have informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi is seeking to convince the coalition forces to accept a deal that is being secretly discussed between Gaddafi delegates and a number of Arab and American parties. This deal would see Gaddafi stepping down from power, only to be replaced by his son Saif al-Islam, with a deadline being put in place for a peaceful transition of power.

A well-informed Libyan source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has held a number of secret meetings with officials in the French and British governments, discussing the idea of his replacing his father for a transitional period of between 2 – 3 years, in return for a comprehensive ceasefire and negotiating with the anti-Gaddafi rebels.

The sources also revealed that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is pushing for assurances that Colonel Gaddafi and his family will be granted immunity from prosecution, and will not be legally punished in any manner.

The sources revealed that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's plan would see him take over control of Libya from his father during a transitional period during which Libya would transform from a revolutionary state to a democratic state that enjoys public and economic freedoms.

The rebel forces are gaining strength and momentum, moving westwards towards the center of Gaddafi's support in Sirte, and the Libyan capital Tripoli. The rebels have recently captured the cities of Ajdabiyah, Brega, and Ras Lanuf, and Gaddafi's aides are racing against time to prevent the inevitable toppling of the regime in the face of the rebels' momentum. » | Khaled Mahmoud | Sunday, March 27, 2011

Immunität: Türkische Imame sollen per Gesetz straffrei bleiben
WELT ONLINE: Imame sollen in der Türkei vor Strafverfolgung geschützt werden – auch wenn sie sich politisch äußern. Die Regierung Erdogans will per Gesetz eine beschränkte Immunität für die Vorbeter erreichen. Die Opposition befürchtet darin einen weiteren Schritt in der schleichenden Islamisierung des Landes.

Imame sollen in der Türkei teilweise Immunität vor dem Gesetz genießen. Bild: Welt Online
Die türkische Regierung will den von der Religionsbehörde angestellten Imamen künftig eine beschränkte Immunität vor Strafverfolgung garantieren. Ein in das Parlament eingebrachter Gesetzentwurf sehe vor, dass die Prediger nur mit Zustimmung ihres Dienstherren angeklagt werden können, berichtete die türkische Tageszeitung „Sabah“.

Damit werde auch die Möglichkeit eingeschränkt, die Vorbeter für politische Äußerungen juristisch zu verfolgen. >>> dpa/br | Donnerstag, 18. März 2010

Silvio Berlusconi Faces Fight for Career as Top Italian Court Strips PM of Immunity
TIMES ONLINE: Silvio Berlusconi was fighting for his political survival last night after he was stripped of his immunity from prosecution. The dramatic ruling will reopen several criminal trials against the Italian Prime Minister and could lead to the collapse of his government.

After two days of tense anticipation, the 15 judges of the Constitutional Court finally emerged to deliver a damning decision that will thrust the billionaire into a series of trials for fraud, corruption, tax evasion and bribery. The court’s ruling on constitutional issues is final and there can be no appeal. >>> Lucy Bannerman in Rome | Thursday, October 08, 2009

US Court Rules Saudi Arabia Immune in 9/11 Case
REUTERS: NEW YORK - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, four princes and other Saudi entities are immune from a lawsuit filed by victims of the September 11 attacks and their families alleging they gave material support to al Qaeda, a federal appeals court ruled on Thursday.

The ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld a 2006 ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Casey dismissing a claim against Saudi Arabia, a Saudi charity, four princes and a Saudi banker of providing material support to al Qaeda before the September 11 attacks. U.S. Court Rules Saudi Arabia Immune in 9/11 Case >>> | August 14, 2008

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