The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has canceled parliamentary immunity.
Relevant presidential bill No. 7203 on amendments to Article 80 of the Constitution of Ukraine was backed by 373 MPs out of 404 registered in the session hall, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
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Some 252 MPs from the Servant of the People faction voted "for" the bill, as well as 23 MPs from the Batkivshchyna faction, 24 from the European Solidarity faction, 19 from the Holos (Voice) faction, 22 from the Za Maibutnie (For the Future) faction, 33 independent MPs, and 0 from the Opposition Platform – Za Zhyttya (For Life) faction.
None voted "against," three abstained, while 28 did not vote.
The law removes the norm that MPs are guaranteed parliamentary immunity.
It is also envisaged to remove the norm that the lawmakers "cannot be prosecuted, detained or arrested without the consent of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine."
At the same time, the norm that the lawmakers are not legally liable for the results of voting or statements in parliament and its bodies, with the exception of liability for insult or slander, still remains.
The law will enter into force on January 1, 2020.
