The perpetrators of these indiscriminate attacks must be brought to justice, said the President, extending sincere condolences to the families and friends of all the victims on behalf of Parliament.

As the situation in Iran becomes more difficult, more MEPs are being sanctioned by the Iranian regime, said the President, stating that no threats, no sanctions and no attempt at intimidation will ever silence Parliament. With a Swedish-Iranian national in Iran executed last weekend, all hostages, including Professor Ahmad Reza Djalali, must be immediately and unconditionally released, she said.

Last week, on World Press Freedom Day, Parliament launched its third edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism to reward outstanding journalism in defence of the EU’s core values. The prize takes on even more significance this year, said the President, as Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich remains detained in Russia. Parliament reiterates its call for his safe…