Immunity lifted for Rodopi MP Özgür Ferhat to face trial
The Greek Parliament has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of Özgür Ferhat, Member of Parliament for Rodopi representing the New Left party, allowing legal proceedings against him to move forward.
The decision follows a lawsuit filed by Komotini-based journalist Nikos Arvanitis, and was approved during today’s (Thursday, April 3) plenary session of the Hellenic Parliament with 227 votes in favor and 36 against.
Background of the Case
In July 2022, a joint statement was issued by several Turkish minority politicians and civil society leaders in Western Thrace, condemning what they described as offensive and defamatory articles published by Nikos Arvanitis on the KomotiniPress website. These publications allegedly targeted members of the Turkish minority, including elected officials, local leaders, institutions, and private individuals.
In response, Arvanitis filed lawsuits against 17 signatories of the joint statement.
One of the individuals named in the lawsuit, MP Özgür Ferhat, had voluntarily requested that his parliamentary immunity be lifted once the case file reached the Parliament, expressing his willingness to face trial and defend himself in court.
This development marks a significant moment in the ongoing tensions surrounding minority rights and press freedom in the region.
