The European Parliament decided not to defend the immunity and privileges of Gabriele ALBERTINI (EPP, IT).
To recall, Gabriele Albertini was summoned before the Court of Milan on behalf of Alfredo Robledo in connection with statements made in interviews published in Italian newspapers when Gabriele Albertini was a Member of the European Parliament. According to the writ of summons, statements made in those interviews constitute libel, resulting in a claim for damages.
However, the facts of the case, as manifested in the writ of summons, do not have a direct and obvious connection with Gabriele Albertini's performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament. Parliament is in no way concerned by these facts. Therefore, the opinion expressed by Gabriele Albertini appears to be unrelated to his duties as a Member of the European Parliament and hardly capable of representing a direct link with a general interest of concern to citizens.
Parliament considers that Gabriele Albertini, in granting both interviews in question, was therefore not acting in the performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament.
As a result, it has decided not to defend the parliamentary immunity of Gabriele Albertini.