EU Parliament received request to lift immunity from Vilimsky

Jul 22, 2025 - 20:00
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EU Parliament received request to lift immunity from Vilimsky

Strasbourg/Brussels – The immunity of the FPÖ delegation leader in the EU Parliament, Harald Vilimsky, could be lifted once again: The relevant authorities in Austria have submitted a request for the lifting of Harald Vilimsky’s parliamentary immunity, which has been forwarded to the Legal Affairs Committee, President Roberta Metsola stated before the start of the votes in the last plenary week of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg.

In response to inquiries from APA, the European Parliament did not want to provide details about the announcement. The Austrian authorities are responsible and have also been asked for a statement. According to Vilimsky himself, the reason for the request is the construction of a security entrance door for his private apartment 13 years ago, which was paid for by the party due to a threat situation.

Vilimsky stated in a written statement to APA: “About 13 years ago, the Freedom Party parliamentary club was informed by police authorities that, among other things, my private address was circulating in the circles of the violent Black Block, which was primarily responsible for the riots against the then Academic Ball. After an analysis (…) by the criminal police advisory service, it turned out that the entrance door was a weak point.”

FPÖ covered the costs for the security door

Since he had “a minor child at home” at that time, he “therefore asked my party to cover the costs for the construction of a security door, which they of course agreed to.” Now, 13 years later, a review will take place to determine whether he gained an advantage from it. Vilimsky did not specify who initiated the review. He is “convinced that this accusation can be easily clarified and resolved, especially since there have been repeated threats against me in the past that were also the subject of official reports and should therefore be documented.”

The EU Parliament last accepted a “request for the lifting of the immunity of Harald Vilimsky” in November 2021. This was requested at that time by the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office. The reason was the suspicion of embezzlement and misuse of funds. (10.07.2025)