PARIS (AP) - French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been stripped of her European Parliament immunity and may now face charges of racism over comments she made comparing Muslim street prayers to an occupation of French territory.
The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, voted by show of hands to withdraw Le Pen's immunity at the request of a French prosecutor. The vote followed a recommendation last month by the parliament's judicial affairs committee that Le Pen's immunity be withdrawn so that she could defend herself against the charges, filed by an anti-racism association.
Le Pen has reiterated the remarks first made in 2010 and on Tuesday said she stands behind them and looks forward to defending her comments in front of a judge.