Press
Ilaria Salis, a left-wing activist and newly elected MEP, hopes for her speedy release from Hungarian custody.
Budapest – The Italian Ilaria Salis, who is accused in Hungary of an alleged attack on right-wing extremists, hopes to return to the EUParliament for an early release. The left-wing activist will enjoy immunity as an MEP, her lawyer Eugenio Losco told the Roman daily newspaper The Messenger.
Salis was a candidate of the left-green alliance Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra (AVS), which European elections in Italy, she won 6.7 percent of the vote. The 39-year-old is one of the six future MEPs from the alliance, said AVS head Nicola Fratoianni. “Now we want Ilaria to be here in Italy – free, with immunity and ready to fulfil her mandate.”
Salis charged after participating in anti-fascist rally in Budapest
The teacher was arrested in Budapest in February 2023 after taking part in a protest rally against a neo-Nazi memorial event. The Hungarian public prosecutor’s office charged her with allegedly beating up a group of neo-Nazis together with several accomplices.
They allegedly attacked the participants of the SS memorial with batons, hammers and lead gloves. According to the public prosecutor’s office, six people were seriously injured. Salis vehemently denies the allegations and was not reported by her alleged victims.
Shocking images show Salis on a dog leash during trial
Salis’ trial began at the end of January 2024. Italy was shocked by the images that came from Budapest. The defendant was led into the courtroom with her hands and feet tied – on a kind of dog leash. According to a report by the taz The prison conditions are also bad. There are reports of dirty cells, mice, cockroaches and bed bugs.
The left-wing scene in Italy showed solidarity, which also influenced the political parties; both the moderate left Partito Democratico and the more radical AVS were ready to immediately nominate Salis as a candidate for the European Parliament. The intention was clear: if she were elected to the European Parliament, she would enjoy parliamentary immunity and would have to be released immediately by the Hungarian authorities. Salis’s decision ultimately fell on the AVS.
Salis case puts strain on relations between Italy and Hungary
In recent months, the case has also become an increasingly heavy burden on diplomatic relations between Rome and Budapest – despite the fundamentally friendly relationship between the post-fascist Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the autocratic Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Faced with what the Italian media called “images of shame”, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Hungarian ambassador. Meloni also had no choice but to call Orbán personally to protest against the disgraceful treatment of Salis.
Salis spent more than a year in custody
The public prosecutor accuses Salis of having travelled to the Hungarian capital to commit acts of violence. She is also accused of being a member of a left-wing extremist organisation. Salis spent more than a year in custody and is now under house arrest. If convicted, she faces up to eleven years in prison.
As soon as Salis’ status as a member of parliament is confirmed, he will apply for his release. This step could take place before the inaugural session of the new EU Parliament on July 16, said Salis’ lawyer. (sot with material from dpa/afp)
#Antifascist #enjoys #immunity #elections
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