Procedure to lift Marine Le Pen’s parliamentary immunity

French prosecutors asked the European Parliament in late March 2017 to lift the immunity of Marina Le Pen over an inquiry into alleged fake parliamentary jobs, according to sources heard by the media.

The request was reportedly after Ms Le Pen invoked her parliamentary immunity in refusing to attend questioning by investigating magistrates. The prosecutors also made a similar request regarding another MEP from Le Pen's Front National, Marie-Christine Boutonnet, who also avoided questioning.

The European Parliament decided to launch the procedure to lift immunity of Ms Le Pen on 26 April.

Le Pen presented the investigation as a plot to undermine her bid at the country's presidential election taking place in April 2017.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 14.04.17: Legal source: France asked EU Parliament to lift Le Pen immunity http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/legal-source-france-asked-eu-parliament-to-lift-le-pen-immunity/

The Independent, 18.04.17: French election: Judges ask for Marine Le Pen's parliamentary immunity to be lifted in fresh setback for FN leader http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/french-election-marine-le-pen-judges-ask-parliamentary-immunity-lifted-misuse-eu-funds-a7684431.html

The Guardian, 14.04.17: French prosecutors seek to lift Le Pen immunity over expenses inquiry https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/14/marine-le-pen-french-prosecutors-seek-to-lift-immunity-over-expenses-inquiry

Deutsche Welle, 14.04.17: French prosecutors request Le Pen's parliamentary immunity be lifted http://p.dw.com/p/2bEOW

Politico, 14.04.17: French prosecutor asks MEPs to lift Marine Le Pen’s immunity: report http://www.politico.eu/article/french-prosecutor-asks-meps-to-lift-marine-le-pens-immunity-report/

Sputnik International, 15.04.17: 'Part of Pre-Election Context': Marine Le Pen's Aide on Request to Lift Immunity https://sptnkne.ws/eeMz

Euronews, 14.04.17: French judges push for Le Pen to be stripped of immunity http://www.euronews.com/2017/04/14/french-judges-push-for-le-pen-to-be-stripped-of-immunity

EUObserver, 27.04.17: MEPs act to strip Le Pen of immunity in fake jobs case https://euobserver.com/justice/137697

The Local.fr, 27.04.17: Marine Le Pen's 'fake jobs' cost EU parliament '€5 million' https://www.thelocal.fr/20170427/marine-le-pen-eu-parliament-says-le-pen-fake-jobs-cost-5-mn-euros

Deutsche Welle, 26.04.17: European Parliament takes first step to lifting Le Pen's immunity over misused funds http://p.dw.com/p/2bxja

Euronews, 27.04.17: EU faces €5 million costs over Le Pen's fake jobs allegations http://www.euronews.com/2017/04/27/eu-faces-5-million-costs-over-le-pen-s-fake-jobs-allegations

BBC News, 27.04.17: Le Pen's National Front 'took 5m euros from EU' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39733452

EUObserver, 29.05.17: Judges refuse to 'let go' of Le Pen's fake jobs case https://euobserver.com/justice/138047

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