European Parliament lifts immunity of Romania MEP Adrian Severin

The European Parliament of Thursday adopted a report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) on lifting the immunity of Romanian MEP Adrian Severin, accused of lobbying in exchange for money. The report, drawn up by MEP Francesco Speroni, was adopted with a majority of votes. On Monday, the European Parliament's committee for legal matters unanimously decided to lift Severin’s immunity. Its decision was only advisory. Severin hailed the European Parliament's decision saying he is confident investigations will prove he was set up and is innocent. On March 21, the Romanian National Anticorruption Department (DNA) began investigating Severin, after local and international media reported on his alleged involvement in a corruption case. Severin was prepared to support the adoption of several amendments in exchange for EUR 100,000 offered by journalists from British paper The Sunday Times. Mediafax (photo source: European Parliament)