🇱🇧 Lebanon’s top public prosecutor, Judge Jamal Hajjar, has formally requested the lifting of parliamentary immunity from MP and former Minister of Industry Georges Bouchikian. The request, addressed to Justice Minister Judge Adel Nassar, aims to allow legal proceedings over allegations of embezzlement, forgery, and extortion during Bouchikian’s tenure in Najib Mikati’s cabinet.

The charges stem from initial investigations, including testimony from factory owners and financial documents suggesting illicit activities in the Ministry of Industry. Judge Hajjar interrogated Bouchikian as a witness on June 28 and collected recordings and testimonies linked to alleged administrative blackmail over industrial licenses.

However, legal experts highlight that for prosecution to proceed, Parliament must act. According to Articles 91–96 of its internal rules, only the Justice Minister may forward such requests, even if based on the prosecutor’s findings. The final decision lies with a joint session of Parliament’s Administration and Justice Committee and the Bureau Office.

Constitutional expert Dr. Jihad Ismail emphasized that immunity does not protect MPs from criminal charges unrelated to their legislative opinions. He also noted that, under Article 80, former ministers may be tried either by regular courts or exclusively by the Supreme Council for the Trial of Presidents and Ministers—an unresolved constitutional debate.