EU Parliament committee protects Slovenian MEP Tonin from prosecution

Slovenian Member of the European Parliament Matej Tonin has reason to celebrate after the Committee on Legal Affairs in the European Parliament voted to shield him from criminal prosecution. The committee's decision, reported by Politico, suggests that the case initiated by Slovenian authorities may be politically motivated.

According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the vote was influenced by several political groups, including the European People's Party (EPP), the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and far-right groups like Patriots and Europe of Sovereign Nations. These groups voted to overturn the recommendation of the lead rapporteur, who had advised lifting Tonin's immunity. The committee cited "temporal inconsistencies" in the materials submitted with the request as a reason for their decision.

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The request for immunity removal was unfounded and baseless.

Slovenian lawmakers had requested the lifting of Tonin's immunity in January to investigate alleged abuse of power in 2023, when he was part of a parliamentary committee overseeing intelligence and security services. Slovenian prosecutors claim Tonin obtained information from the police about wiretaps on individuals linked to a bribery case, not through legal channels but to benefit himself and others. They also allege he sought information on pre-trial proceedings.

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I am glad that the Committee on Legal Affairs took enough time to thoroughly review the documentation sent by the Special State Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Parliament and then made the final decision today.

Tonin has consistently denied the accusations. Following the committee's vote, he stated, "I am glad that the Committee on Legal Affairs took enough time to thoroughly review the documentation sent by the Special State Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Parliament and then made the final decision today." He believes the request for immunity removal was "unfounded and baseless."

The committee's decision to not strip Tonin of his immunity now requires confirmation from a majority of votes cast in the European Parliament's plenary session in September.

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The Committee on Legal Affairs found elements of political persecution.