Latest news with #GeorgeBouchikian
LBCI
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Selective accountability: Lebanese Parliament acts on Bouchikian amid demands for broader justice
Report by Maroun Nassif, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi In a rare and sudden move, the Lebanese Parliament is set to vote Wednesday on lifting the parliamentary immunity of MP and former Minister George Bouchikian, allowing the judiciary to proceed with an investigation into allegations of corruption, bribery, embezzlement, and extortion involving factory owners. The decision follows two meetings in recent weeks between the Parliament's Bureau and the Administration and Justice Committee, which led to the formation of a parliamentary investigative committee. That committee, comprising MPs Georges Adwan, Alain Aoun, and Marwan Hamadeh, has submitted a formal recommendation to the General Assembly to lift Bouchikian's immunity. The vote requires a simple majority—only 65 MPs need to be present, and just 33 votes are necessary to pass the motion, making approval all but certain. The anticipated move would mark a rare moment of accountability in Lebanese legislative history. The last time Parliament lifted a member's immunity was in 2000, when MPs Habib Hakim and Yehya Chamas faced legal proceedings. Before that, it was Chahé Barsoumian in 1999. While the decision is being welcomed as a positive step toward enabling judicial investigations, it has raised broader questions about selective accountability. Critics are questioning why the Parliament failed to act on similar requests from Judge Tarek Bitar in the Beirut Port blast case, specifically involving MPs Ali Hassan Khalil and Ghazi Zaiter—both of whom have long benefited from political protection. Observers note that Bouchikian's expulsion from the Armenian Tashnag party's parliamentary bloc may have made him an easier political target. The concern, they say, is whether the move signals genuine reform or simply a convenient exception. Calls for broader accountability persist. The Parliament is also expected to vote on the formation of a committee to investigate alleged corruption in the Telecommunications Ministry during the tenures of former ministers Nicolas Sehnaoui, Boutros Harb, and Jamal Jarrah. That effort also requires 65 votes, a number insiders believe can be secured. Still, activists and citizens alike are asking why the Parliament has not launched similar probes into numerous other allegations of corruption and public fund mismanagement involving former ministers from key portfolios such as finance, public works, energy, interior, foreign affairs, and the displaced. For many, lifting Bouchikian's immunity will only carry weight if it marks the beginning of a broader effort to hold all officials accountable—regardless of their political affiliations.
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
MP George Bouchikian denies fleeing Lebanon ahead of immunity lift request
Lebanese MP George Bouchikian on Monday denied media reports suggesting he left the country to avoid legal prosecution, saying his recent departure was a long-planned personal trip and that no legal action had been initiated against him at the time. In a statement issued from abroad, Bouchikian said he left Lebanon on July 7 for a family trip that had been arranged months in advance. 'At the time of my departure, no decision had been issued to pursue legal action against me, nor was there any formal request to lift my parliamentary immunity,' he said. 'The General Security's travel records clearly confirm my departure date and the purpose behind it.' The request to lift Bouchikian's immunity, submitted by Lebanon's public prosecutor, was dated July 9—two days after he had already left the country. 'This completely discredits claims that I left to evade accountability,' he added. Bouchikian reaffirmed his willingness to cooperate with judicial authorities. 'I am fully prepared to respond to any competent legal body, in the appropriate place and time, in full respect of the constitutional process and transparency,' he said. The MP also noted that his legal team took immediate action upon being notified of the request to lift his immunity. Formal submissions were filed to the Speaker of Parliament, the Parliament Bureau, and the Administration and Justice Committee. 'A detailed legal memorandum was also submitted, laying out factual, legal, and constitutional arguments in response to the request,' he said, adding that the document is now in the hands of lawmakers ahead of the parliamentary session scheduled for July 23. Bouchikian expressed confidence in Parliament's ability to handle the case fairly. 'I trust that MPs will address this matter objectively and without influence from media pressure or populist narratives,' he said. 'No one is above accountability, and no one should be denied legal protection,' he concluded. 'Justice cannot be achieved through double standards.'
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Speaker Berri convenes joint parliamentary meeting to address lifting immunity from MP Bouchikian and launch telecom probe
Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri chaired a joint meeting on Monday in Ain al-Tineh between the Parliament Bureau and the Parliamentary Administration and Justice Committee. Following the meeting, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab announced that the session, called for by Speaker Berri, was held to review a request submitted to Parliament regarding the lifting of immunity from MP George Bouchikian. He stated that at the beginning of the session, discussions also addressed a related matter that had been previously addressed by the same joint committee, nearly two years ago—specifically, the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee into the Telecommunications Ministry. Bou Saab revealed that both cases were deemed similar, and a plenary session was scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 11:00 a.m. to deliberate on both items. Speaker Berri reportedly emphasized the urgency of moving forward with these matters, noting that the delay over the past two years was mainly due to the exceptional political conditions at the time, including the absence of a president and a non-functioning legislature. Bou Saab explained that the first case involves establishing a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate the Ministry of Telecommunications. The second concerns the request to lift immunity from MP Bouchikian. 'It will be up to the general assembly to make the final decision on both,' he said. He stressed that no accusations were being made and that the committee's role was purely procedural. 'We are not accusing anyone. The report submitted was purely technical, focusing on how to apply parliamentary rules and the law without any external pressure,' he said. 'The investigation must determine whether the issue is related to the MP's role as a legislator, in which case immunity applies, or whether it pertains to actions taken in a ministerial capacity, in which case the judiciary would decide how to proceed.' Bou Saab reiterated the presumption of innocence, stating, 'Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. The procedure is clear: the request will be presented to the general assembly, and if the body decides to form an inquiry committee, it will vote to appoint its members.' Regarding the telecom case, he said the three former telecommunications ministers involved—Nicolas Sehnaoui, Boutros Harb, and Jamal Jarrah—had been notified of the matter over two years ago and had the right to attend the session or send legal representatives to present their defense. As for Bouchikian, the same process applies. 'He, too, has the right to defend himself and present his version of events,' Bou Saab said. He added that if the assembly approves the formation of the inquiry committee, its work will be conducted confidentially until its findings are finalized. When asked about rumors of Bouchikian's travel abroad, Bou Saab said, 'I will not comment on media reports. We have no official information about his whereabouts. What's important is that we took the step of referring the matter to the general assembly, which will vote on whether to lift his immunity. The vote will be secret, but the result will be made public.'
LBCI
11-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Parliament prepares immunity vote: Will political shield protect MP George Bouchikian?
Report by Joe Farchakh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi A critical phase has begun in the legal proceedings involving MP and former Minister George Bouchikian, with the matter now officially in the hands of Parliament. The case began when Justice Minister Adel Nassar submitted a formal request to the Parliament seeking permission to prosecute Bouchikian. The request was accompanied by a memorandum from Lebanon's top public prosecutor outlining the nature of the offense, the time and place of the suspected crime, and a summary of the evidence that requires urgent judicial action. The request was placed on the desk of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has now taken procedural steps by convening a special session on Friday that brought together the Bureau of Parliament and the Administration and Justice Committee. Following that meeting, a joint decision was made to form a smaller subcommittee tasked with reviewing the evidence. The subcommittee has two weeks to submit its findings in a report that will assess whether the evidence merits lifting Bouchikian's parliamentary immunity or whether political motives may be influencing the case. Once the subcommittee's report is submitted, the matter will be referred to the entire Parliament, which will vote on it in its next scheduled session. A simple majority is required to lift immunity—defined as half of the members present plus one, with a quorum of at least 65 MPs. For example, if 80 lawmakers attend the session, at least 41 must vote in favor of lifting immunity for the motion to pass. All eyes are now on the Parliament to see whether it will allow the judiciary to proceed or whether, once again, political considerations will override judicial accountability.
LBCI
11-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanese Parliament forms subcommittee to review immunity lift request for MP George Bouchikian
The Parliament Bureau and the Administration and Justice Committee have agreed to form a subcommittee tasked with preparing a report within two weeks regarding the request to lift parliamentary immunity from MP George Bouchikian.
