Parliament lifts immunity from Egypt’s MP El-Hariri for trial

With a majority vote, Egypt’s House of Representatives agreed to lift the immunity of independent Alexandrian MP Haitham El-Hariri so he could be tried on criminal charges, MENA reported.

Two weeks ahead of the mass protests that took place on 30 June 2013 against Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, El-Hariri was charged with inciting violence and calling for protests against the now banned-Muslim Brotherhood group from which Morsi hails.

The request to lift his immunity was submitted by the attorney-general.

The MP did not object to the lifting of his immunity and has made strong statements maintaining his innocence. He expressed his confidence in the Egyptian judiciary assured that MPs are not “hiding behind immunity.”

During Tuesday’s session, parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al asked MPs to electronically vote not the lifting of immunity for El-Hariri, with a majority of 250 voting with in favour and 53 voting against.

source:Ahram Online