European Parliament lifts immunity of Greek MEP Nikos Pappas

The European Parliament has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of Greek Member of the European Parliament Nikos Pappas, allowing national authorities to proceed with legal action in connection with alleged criminal offenses.

According to the decision, the case concerns alleged incidents of online insult and threats reportedly carried out via private messages on a social media platform on June 11, 2025. The formal complaint in the case was submitted on July 16, 2025.

No Link to Parliamentary Activity, Says Report
The approved committee report states that the alleged actions are not connected to opinions expressed or votes cast in the exercise of parliamentary duties, as defined under Article 8 of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union.

It further notes that, based on information provided by national authorities, there is no indication that the proceedings are politically motivated.

Immunity Not a Personal Privilege, EU Lawmakers Emphasize
The report underlined that parliamentary immunity is not a personal privilege, but a legal safeguard intended to protect the independence of the European Parliament.

It also referenced the standard assessment of “fumus persecutionis,” which examines whether legal proceedings may be politically motivated. In this case, lawmakers concluded that no such evidence was present.

Decision Forwarded to Greek Authorities
The plenary vote authorizes the lifting of immunity and instructs that the decision, along with the committee report, be transmitted to the competent Greek judicial authorities and to MEP Nikos Pappas.

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