New Delhi: Germany reacted to the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case and his subsequent disqualification as Lok Sabha Member of Parliament and said that “standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles” should apply in this case. The German government has taken “note of the verdict of first instance” against Rahul Gandhi and the “suspension of his parliamentary mandate”, as spokesperson for the country’s foreign ministry said.
“To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict. It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis,” the spokesperson told a regular media briefing. This was the first response by Germany or any other European country on the case of Gandhi.
US tracking Rahul’s case
Earlier, the US state department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the country is tracking Gandhi’s case in Indian courts.
Patel further said the US continues to highlight the importance of democratic principles and protection of human rights, including freedom of expression, as a “key to strengthening both our democracies”.