A European Union committee voted on Tuesday to remove French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen’s parliamentary immunity. She had been charged with “publishing violent images” on her Twitter account of graphic images of terrorists beheading prisoners, one of whom was a US journalist.
The EU voted “overwhelmingly” to remove Le Pen’s immunity, according to lawmaker Laura Ferrara, who was tasked with compiling the dossier. The entire legislature must still vote on the measure, according to Ferrara, but a date has not been set yet. The vote was to get the measure out of committee to put before the rest of the European Parliament.
The images were considered by the committee to be inappropriate conduct of a European deputy, EU officials said. Under certain circumstances, the offense alleged against Le Pen can include a three-year jail sentence and 75,000 euro fine.
Le Pen’s immunity shields her from prosecution. Therefore, removal would open up the possibility of legal action against her.
Tuesday’s vote was concerning an issue entirely unrelated to another possible scandal surround Le Pen’s bid for presidency. Le Pen’s chief of staff was detained by officials from the EU concerning alleged misuse of campaign funds. Le Pen has been projected to emerge victorious from the first round of elections before succumbing to her opponents, according to recent polls. She has been the source of controversy for her nationalist stances and comments on immigration.
Le Pen was not immediately available to comment.