The European Parliament has decided not to waive the immunity of MEP Klára Dobrev, blocking a Hungarian defamation prosecution against her. The decision, adopted on the basis of a report by the Committee on Legal Affairs, protects Dobrev from criminal proceedings brought by Hungary's former Ministry of Culture and Innovation over statements she made in October 2023 about state-funded training for paedophile priests.
The committee's report, tabled on 30 June 2026 and drafted by rapporteur Mario Furore, concluded that the prosecution appears politically motivated — a finding of fumus persecutionis — aimed at damaging Dobrev's political activity as an MEP and critic of the former Hungarian government, rather than redressing genuine reputational harm. The committee adopted the report on 23 June 2026 by 17 votes in favour, 5 against, and 1 abstention. The alleged offence, defamation under Article 226 of the Hungarian Criminal Code, does not fall under absolute immunity for opinions expressed in parliamentary duties, but the committee found that the selective use of criminal over civil law, combined with the timing and context, raised serious doubts about the proceedings' objectivity.
The decision shields Dobrev from prosecution and preserves her independence as an MEP, reinforcing the Parliament's role in protecting its members from legal actions it deems politically motivated. The Budapest II and III District Court had requested the waiver on 5 December 2025, citing statements Dobrev made during an online press conference on 3 October 2023. The Parliament's refusal means the Hungarian proceedings cannot proceed against her while she retains immunity.