French far-right leader stripped of EP immunity, may face racism charges

PanARMENIAN.Net - 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 Muslim street prayers to an occupation of French territory, Belfast Telegraph said.

The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, voted by show of hands to withdraw Ms Le Pen's immunity at the request of a French prosecutor. The vote followed a recommendation last month by the parliament's judicial affairs committee it be withdrawn so that she could defend herself against the charges, filed by an anti-racism association.

Ms Le Pen has repeated the remarks first made in 2010 and on Tuesday July 2 said she stands behind them and looks forward to defending her comments in front of a judge.

"I'm going to defend myself before the court 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," she said.