Strasbourg, 05/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the report by Klaus-Heiner Lehne (EPP-DE Germany), the European Parliament has decided to not lift the parliamentary immunity of Efstratios Korakas (GUE/NGL Greece). Mr Korakas is accused of getting his girlfriend to make slanderous accusations against her husband from whom she is separated. Her husband has accused Mr Korakas of having used his influence as an MEP to discredit him. The fact that the criticism levelled at the MEP has nothing to do with his political activity could have been one of the reasons for waiving his immunity. Nevertheless, Parliament believes that documentation sent by the Greek authorities in support of the waiver of diplomatic immunity, and the reasons for which the Appeals Court of Athens refers to the status of MEP of the defendant in its justification to accept his appeal, are not clear. It believes that procedures pursued by the Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Athens could have been aimed at damaging the political career of Mr Korakas. This is why it has decided to no lift his immunity.