Here’s a breakdown of the European Court of Human Rights’ decision in the case of Navalnyy v. Russia (No. 4):
1. **Essence of the Decision:**
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Russia responsible for multiple human rights violations against Aleksey Navalnyy related to his detention and imprisonment. The Court ruled that Navalnyy’s detention after February 2, 2021, was unlawful due to its connection with a 2014 conviction that the ECHR had previously deemed unfair. The Court also found his initial detention from January 17 to February 2, 2021, unlawful because it lacked a proper legal basis under Russian law. Furthermore, the ECHR concluded that Russia failed to protect Navalnyy’s life while in custody, subjected him to inhuman and degrading treatment, and obstructed his right to appeal to the Court.
2. **Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Preliminary Issues:** The Court addressed the joinder of applications, its jurisdiction, the consequences of the Russian government’s non-participation, the locus standi of Navalnyy’s widow, and allegations of abuse of the right of individual application.
* **Article 5 § 1 (Right to Liberty and Security):** The Court found violations related to both periods of Navalnyy’s detention. It highlighted the causal link between the 2014 conviction (previously found to violate Articles 6 and 7) and his later imprisonment. The Court also emphasized that the initial detention lacked a clear legal basis in domestic law.
* **Article 2 (Right to Life):** The Court determined that Russia failed to adequately address the risk to Navalnyy’s life, especially considering the prior poisoning incident.
* **Article 3 (Prohibition of Torture):** The Court found that the cumulative effect of the conditions of Navalnyy’s detention, including sleep deprivation and the arbitrary shaving of his hair, amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment.
* **Article 34 (Individual Applications):** The Court concluded that Russia failed to comply with the interim measure requesting Navalnyy’s release.
* **Article 18 (Limitation on Use of Restrictions on Rights):** The Court decided to strike out the complaint under Article 18 of the Convention, as the applicant did not maintain that complaint in his observations to the Court.
* **Article 41 (Just Satisfaction):** The Court awarded Navalnyy’s heir EUR 26,000 in respect of non-pecuniary damage.
3. **Main Provisions for Use:**
* **Unlawful Detention:** The ruling reinforces that detention stemming from politically motivated or unfair convictions violates Article 5 § 1.
* **Right to Life:** The decision underscores the State’s obligation to protect the life of individuals in custody, especially when there’s a known and immediate risk.
* **Inhuman and Degrading Treatment:** The judgment highlights that cumulative ill-treatment, even if individual instances don’t reach a high threshold, can violate Article 3.
* **Interim Measures:** The decision reaffirms the binding nature of interim measures indicated by the ECHR and the obligation of states to comply with them.
**** This decision is particularly relevant to Ukraine and Ukrainians, as it highlights the human rights violations committed by Russia, which can be used in international advocacy and legal efforts.
