The European Parliament voted on Tuesday, with a large majority, to lift the immunity of Diana Șoșoacă, following a request from the General Prosecutor’s Office in Romania. Thus, she can now be investigated and judged in the country for the deprivation of liberty of some Italian journalists, Legionnaire propaganda, and Holocaust denial.
“I have just voted for the lifting of the immunity of MEP Diana Șoșoacă. The request passed with a large majority. The European Parliament is always united in allowing justice to do its job,” wrote MEP Siegfried Mureșan, on his Facebook page.
A recount of the vote was not requested, indicating that it was not close. Șoșoacă was present in the room but remained very quiet. She did not react to the vote, as reported by Spotmedia correspondent.
UPDATE: Șoșoacă will sue the ECJ
Diana Șoșoacă announced on Tuesday that she will take action against the European legislative body at the Court of Justice of the European Union. At the same time, Șoșoacă said she expects to be detained by the police right from the airport on Thursday evening when she returns from Strasbourg.
”The European legislative body lifted immunity in response to ten requests from the General Prosecutor's Office and rejected lifting immunity for statements and political opinions from the European Parliament. This means that, for consistency, the lifting of immunity for statements and political opinions from the Romanian Parliament should have been rejected, as the law is the same everywhere.
What did the European Parliament do? Wash their hands of it. What happens in the European Parliament cannot be investigated; if we have any issues, we handle them ourselves, but statements from the European Parliament can never be subject to judicial review, and what happens in Romania is your problem, as it's your dictatorship.
What is happening now? We have a situation where immunity has been lifted, and it will likely be referred to the General Prosecutor's Office within 48 hours, as the General Prosecutor's Office has requested the lifting of immunity for search, detention, arrest, and judicial control. These are the reasons cited by the General Prosecutor's Office. So, Thursday night, when we all return, you might want to have your cameras ready because I might be taken away,” said Șoșoacă in front of the plenary hall in Strasbourg.
When asked if she expects to be detained at the airport, she replied, “anything is possible.”
Why is she accused
Last week, the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (JURI) voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of Diana Șoșoacă.
The report was approved with 17 votes in favor, one abstention, and no votes against. The JURI session was held behind closed doors.
The General Prosecutor's Office requested, on September 23, 2025, the European Parliament to lift the immunity for Diana Șoșoacă, who is accused of various crimes, including Legionnaire propaganda.
According to prosecutors, Diana Șoșoacă is accused of:
- 4 counts of illegal deprivation of liberty (meaning she allegedly detained individuals against their will, in the case of Italian journalists);
- 4 counts of public promotion of the cult of persons convicted of genocide against humanity and war crimes, as well as promoting fascist, Legionnaire, racist, or xenophobic ideas, concepts, or doctrines
- public promotion of anti-Semitic ideas, concepts, or doctrines
- denying, questioning, approving, justifying, or minimizing in a public manner, through any means, the Holocaust or its effects
- outrage (meaning assaulting or insulting a public official in the performance of their duties).