The European Parliament stripped German national-oriented MEP Petr Bystron of his legal immunity, enabling Munich prosecutors to pursue charges over a 2022 social media post.
The decision forms part of a broader crackdown on parliamentary immunity, with three other MEPs, two Polish and one Czech, also facing prosecution in separate cases.
Bystron, a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), posted a photo collage in July 2022 depicting German politicians, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel and current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with arms raised in a manner resembling the prohibited German WWII salute.
The post, captioned “Bye, bye […]! German politicians wave goodbye!”, coincided with the dismissal of Ukraine’s then-ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, who had sparked outrage by downplaying the role of Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera in Holocaust-era atrocities, according to The European Conservative.
Prosecutors allege the post violated Germany’s strict laws against displaying symbols of unconstitutional organisations. Meanwhile, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee found no evidence of political bias in the case, noting the investigation predated Bystron’s 2024 election as a MEP.
Bystron also faces a suspended investigation into alleged bribes from Voice of Europe, a sanctioned media network. Munich prosecutors confirmed a separate immunity waiver request for this case, which will be reviewed after the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee meets on 9 April.
Broader crackdown: Polish, Czech MEPs targeted
The Parliament simultaneously revoked immunity for Polish MEPs Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik. Convicted in 2023 for abusing power as anti-corruption chiefs, they face charges for defying a five-year ban on public office.
Czech MEP Jana Nagyová was accused of subsidy fraud involving a €2 million EU grant during her tenure under former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Nagyová, twice acquitted in lower courts, claims the charges are politically timed ahead of Czech elections.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament emphasised that lifting immunity is procedural, not a legal judgement, ensuring members face national justice systems like ordinary citizens.
