Latest news with #parliamentaryimmunity
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
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.
