She was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, and Hungary released the Italian anti-fascist activist from arrest

An Italian anti-fascist activist has been released from house arrest in Budapest after being elected to the European Parliament, which meant she had immunity from charges related to an alleged attack on neo-Nazis.

The case of Ilaria Salis, 39, a teacher from Monza, near Milan, sparked diplomatic protests and outrage in Italy after she was brought to court in Hungary in chains, with her hands and feet shackled.

She was arrested in Budapest in February last year following a counter-demonstration against a neo-Nazi rally. Salis was charged with three counts of attempted assault, as well as being part of an extreme left-wing organization.

She denies the charges, which carried a potential sentence of up to 11 years in prison. In a letter to her lawyer, she detailed the conditions she faced since her arrest: cells infested with rats and insects, being denied the ability to wash for days, and a lack of medical care. In May, she was placed under house arrest in Budapest.

Salis secured her seat as a candidate with the Greens and Left Alliance, which won about 6.8% in Sunday's vote.

After her election as a Member of the European Parliament, her lawyers requested her release based on the immunity enjoyed by EU lawmakers. The court responded that it was awaiting official communication regarding her election to the European Parliament.