The case of Ilaria Salis detained in Budapest reaches Strasbourg. The plenary of the European Parliament will look into the situation of prisoners in Hungary on Monday 5 February, including the case of Ilaria Salis, “who has been incarcerated in Hungary since February 2023. Salis, accused of taking part in violent assaults against neo-Nazi sympathisers in Budapest, faces up to eleven years in prison if convicted”, a statement from Parliament reads. “The 39-year-old elementary school teacher, who denies the charges, appeared in court in shackles and handcuffs. Media have reported about the deplorable prison conditions she is facing, with rats, insects, and poor hygiene”.
On Tuesday, 6 February, MEPs will discuss the results of the latest summits, particularly the special European Council on 1 February, with Presidents Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen. There are a number of other topics on the plenary agenda. First of all, following almost two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, MEPs “are set to reaffirm the need for the EU to stand firmly and united behind Kyiv”.
Parliament will then adopt its negotiating mandate on rules for new genomic techniques that alter the genetic material of an organism to develop more resilient plants.
On Wednesday, 7 February, Parliament will discuss how to “respond to the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and how to foster fairly rewarded EU agriculture”.
Also on Wednesday, MEPs will discuss the increase in online and offline hate incidents across the EU with the Council and the Commission, with a particular look at the rise of anti-Semitism.