STRASBOURG: EU lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly rejected Hungary’s request to strip left-wing Italian lawmaker Ilaria Salis of her parliamentary immunity for alleged violence at a neo-Nazi rally in Budapest.
The European Parliament in Strasbourg backed the anti-fascist activist — who has become a high-profile foe of Hungary’s nationalist government — by 306 votes to 305 in a secret ballot.
“This vote is a victory for democracy, rule of law, and antifascism,” Salis said in a statement.
Salis, 41, was arrested with other activists in Budapest in February 2023 while taking part in a protest against an annual commemoration by neo-Nazis.
She was released from detention after more than a year, following her election to the EU parliament with a small leftist party in 2024.
Hungarian prosecutors requested an 11-year prison sentence and the case made international headlines when Salis appeared in a Budapest court with her feet shackled.
Salis has requested to be tried in Italy.
![]()
Italian lawmaker wanted by Hungary clings to EU immunity
Short Url
https://arab.news/9sk3a
Italian lawmaker wanted by Hungary clings to EU immunity
- The European Parliament in Strasbourg backed the anti-fascist activist by 306 votes to 305 in a secret ballot
- Salis was arrested with other activists in Budapest in February 2023
UK defense secretary warns Russia it is ready to deal with any incursions into UK waters
LONDON: Britain warned Russia on Wednesday that it was ready to deal with any incursions into its territory after the spy ship Yantar was detected on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland.
Defense Secretary John Healey said the Russian vessel had directed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities. He described it as part of a Russian fleet designed to put undersea infrastructure at risk.
“My message to Russia and to Putin is this: We see you. We know what you’re doing,’’ Healey said during a briefing in London. “And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.”
This isn’t the first time the Yantar has probed Britain’s defenses, Healey said. After a warning last year, the Yantar left UK waters for the Mediterranean. When the Russian ship later sailed through the English Channel in January, it was followed by HMS Somerset, a frigate assigned to homeland defense in the waters around Britain.
Defense Secretary John Healey said the Russian vessel had directed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities. He described it as part of a Russian fleet designed to put undersea infrastructure at risk.
“My message to Russia and to Putin is this: We see you. We know what you’re doing,’’ Healey said during a briefing in London. “And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.”
This isn’t the first time the Yantar has probed Britain’s defenses, Healey said. After a warning last year, the Yantar left UK waters for the Mediterranean. When the Russian ship later sailed through the English Channel in January, it was followed by HMS Somerset, a frigate assigned to homeland defense in the waters around Britain.
Latest updates
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.