Parliament lifts Boujikian's immunity, refers 3 ex-ministers to inquiry panel

Parliament on Wednesday lifted the parliamentary immunity of MP George Boujikian so that the judiciary can prosecute him over alleged corruption charges dating back to his tenure as industry minister in the previous government.

Ninety-nine MPs voted in favor of the move, as MP Sajih Attiyeh voted against and MP Jamil al-Sayyed abstained.

Boujikian is accused of embezzlement, receiving bribes and blackmailing factory owners in return for granting them licenses.

The ex-minister and incumbent MP had left Lebanon for Canada, where he is a citizen, on July 9.

In a statement, Boujikian said he had scheduled his “personal-family” visit months ago and that it has nothing to do with any political or judicial matter, noting that he had informed parliament of his intent to travel and expressing “readiness to cooperate with any relevant authority.”

Parliament also voted in favor of referring corruption accusations against ex-telecom ministers Boutros Harb, Nicolas Sehnaoui and Jamal al-Jarrah to a parliamentary panel of inquiry, with 88 MPs voting in favor, nine against and two abstaining.

Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Jebran Bassil said the decision to refer the file to a panel is “politicized.”

The three former ministers and their lawyers were allowed to address parliament to defend themselves during the nationally-televised and rare session.