Filipe Melo (Chega) has parliamentary immunity lifted in defamation case
Parliament lifted the immunity of Chega deputy Filipe Melo on Friday, October 16, regarding an alleged defamation case during the local election campaign in Vila Verde, Braga district. The case, pending at the Braga Judicial Court, follows a complaint by Jorge Manuel Rodrigues Oliveira. Although the lifting of immunity was not mandatory as the potential penalty is under three years, Melo agreed to the waiver to allow him to be named a formal suspect and provide statements. The Parliamentary Transparency Committee noted the remarks were made in a political-partisan context unrelated to his parliamentary duties. Melo, who serves as a secretary on the Assembly of the Republic's board, has previously been reprimanded by the Transparency Committee for inappropriate conduct towards Socialist deputies Isabel Moreira and Eva Cruzeiro.
