RantCrush Top 5: March 2, 2017

Far-right French politician and presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has lost her immunity from prosecution after tweeting some graphic photos of victims killed by ISIS. Le Pen previously had parliamentary immunity, which is intended to protect members from intimidation or coercion. The European Parliament voted by a “big majority” to strip her of that immunity so that a Paris court can prosecute her. The crime of publishing violent images can be punished by up to three years in prison and a fine of almost $80,000.

Le Pen responded by claiming that the EU is engaging in political interference to stop her from winning the election. “This only shows French citizens what the EU is, what the European parliament is and that it’s all part of the system that wants to stop the French people’s candidate that I am,” she said.

Marine Le Pen just lost “EU parliamentary immunity” for tweeting 3 graphic images of ISIS beheadings, meaning she could face prosecution. pic.twitter.com/nrurCKcPGP

— AJ+ (@ajplus) March 2, 2017

Le Pen previously refused to be interrogated by police, citing her status as a member of the European Parliament. She has also had her immunity lifted before for “incitement to discrimination over people’s religious beliefs” after she compared Muslim people praying in public to the Nazi occupation of France during World War II.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.