Brussels, 27/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is to give its stance, on Thursday, on the lifting of parliamentary immunity, transmitted by the French Justice Minister, of MEPs Charles Pasqua and Jean-Charles Marchiani (Rassemblement pour la France), concerning affairs involving the illegal trafficking of arms (in which both MEPs are involved) and the unlawful financing of the European election campaign (only Mr Pasqua is made a party thereto). EP Rapporteur Neil MacCormick (Scottish National Party), though recognising that these are very serious accusations (see EUROPE of 23 February, page 14, also), considers that the request "in the way in which it has been presented" must be rejected by Parliament (even if this is perhaps not yet the end of the story, he added). French Socialist François Zimmeray, who spoke of strict compliance with the procedure, denounced the way in which this affair has been picked up by the media, as it is hardly compatible with the requirements of "serene" justice. He recalled that 125 have committed suicide in French prisons. Brian Crowley (Fianna Fail, Ireland) insisted on the fact that "justice delayed is justice denied". He sees a "hint" of political interference in this request, and recalls that, in France, elections are near at hand.