The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered a judgment in the case of Matveyev and Others v. Russia, which consolidated five separate applications concerning violations of freedom of expression in Russia. The cases involved various forms of restrictions on freedom of expression, including defamation claims, administrative penalties for criticizing Russian military actions, and limitations on media publications.The Court examined cases involving: a regional parliament member who criticized a mayor’s birthday celebration; a media outlet’s publication about alleged financial irregularities in a charitable foundation; an NGO’s article about corruption in a correctional facility; publications by Navalny and Sobol about food quality issues in Moscow schools; and administrative proceedings against Royzman for criticizing Russian military actions in Ukraine.The key provisions of the judgment include:
- The Court confirmed its jurisdiction over cases involving events that occurred before Russia’s exit from the Convention (September 16, 2022)
- Recognition of Yulia Navalnaya’s standing to continue proceedings in her late husband’s case
- Finding of violations of Article 10 of the Convention in all cases
- Award of 7,500 euros in non-pecuniary damages to each applicant
The most significant aspects of the decision are the Court’s findings regarding:
- The domestic courts’ failure to distinguish between statements of fact and value judgments in defamation cases
- The lack of legitimate aim in protecting ‘business reputation’ of state bodies
- The disproportionate nature of penalties imposed for criticism of state actions
- The excessive amount of damages awarded in defamation cases
