Czech lawmakers reject motion to lift immunity for populist leader Babiš over EU fraud case

Czech lawmakers have rejected a motion to lift Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’ immunity so prosecutors can press a fraud case. Approval in the lower house of the Czech Parliament on Thursday would have allowed Prague’s Municipal Court rule to deal with the case again. The court acquitted Babiš twice. But an appeals court canceled both rulings. The rejection of the motion means that he can stand trial only after his term in the house expires in 2029. The case involves the Stork’s Nest farm owned by Babiš’ Agrofert group whose ownership was moved to his family members and back after it received a subsidy from the European Union. Babiš denies wrongdoing.