In the case of L.P. and Carvalho v. Portugal, the Court found that there had been a violation of freedom of expression on account of a judgment against the applicants for criticising judges when they were acting in their capacity as lawyers.

Press release

In the case of Margulev v. Russia, the Court found that there had been a violation of the right to freedom of expression.

The applicant, who was the director of an NGO set up to preserve the Tsaritsyno complex, had criticised in the press the restoration work on the complex, financed by Moscow City Council. The newspaper Moskovskiy Korrespondent was sued by the council and found liable for defamation.

Press release

In the case of Zelikha Magomadova v. Russia, the Court found that there had been a violation of the right to respect for private and family life.

Being a widow and mother of 6 children, the applicant alleged that she had been denied access to her children in 2010 by her brother-in-law, who had subsequently obtained a decision to withdraw her parental authority. The Court found, in particular, that such an arbirtrary interference with her right to respect for her private life had no place in a democratic society governed by the rule of law.

Press release

In the case of Szurovecz v. Hungary the Court held that there had been a violation of freedom of expression.

The case concerned media access to reception facilities for asylum-seekers. The applicant, a journalist for an Internet news portal, complained about the authorities’ refusal of his request to carry out interviews and take photographs at the Debrecen Reception Centre, thus preventing him from reporting on the living conditions there.

Press release

On 15 October 2019, Olesea Stamate, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Moldova was received by President Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos. Valeriu Griţco, judge elected in respect of the Republic of Moldova, and Roderick Liddell, Registrar, also attended the meeting.

On 15 October 2019, Konstantinos Tsiaras, Minister of Justice of Greece was received by President Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos. Roderick Liddell, Registrar, and Marialena Tsirli, Deputy Registrar, also attended the meeting.

On 15 October 2019, Sam Tanson, Minister of Justice of Luxembourg was received by President Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos. Georges Ravarani, judge elected in respect of Luxembourg, and Roderick Liddell, Registrar, also attended the meeting.

On 15 October 2019, Clemens Jabloner, Minister of Justice of Austria was received by President Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos. Gabriele Kucsko-Stadlmayer, judge elected in respect of Austria, and Roderick Liddell, Registrar, also attended the meeting.

On 14 October 2019, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Minister of Justice of Finland was received by President Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos. Pauliine Koskelo, judge elected in respect of Finland, and Roderick Liddell, Registrar, also attended the meeting.

On 14 October 2019, Andreja Katič, Minister of Justice of Slovenia was received by President Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos. Marko Bošnjak, judge elected in respect of Slovenia, and Roderick Liddell, Registrar, also attended the meeting.

The Court has accepted a request for an advisory opinion from the Constitutional Court of Armenia. This request is related to an Article in Armenia’s Criminal Code which penalizes the overthrowing of the Constitutional order.

Press release

The Court will deliver its Grand Chamber judgment in the case of López Ribalda and Others v. Spain on 17 October 2019.

The applicants, five cashiers working for the supermarket chain M.S.A., were dismissed on disciplinary grounds following proceedings in which video recordings showing them stealing items were admitted in evidence. In the proceedings before the Court the applicants complain in particular of the covert video surveillance and of the courts’ use of the data obtained to find that their dismissals were fair.

Press release

Webcast of the hearing (28/11/2018)

Cases pending before the Grand Chamber

Country profile - Spain

President Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos took part in the ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe, a ceremony also attended by the organisation’s Secretary General, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Video of the speech

On 14 and 15 October 2019, President Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos took part in the Conference of the Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe Member States. He was accompanied by Angelika Nußberger, Vice-President and Judge elected in respect of Germany, Robert Spano, Vice-President and Judge elected in respect of Iceland, and André Potocki, Judge elected in respect of France. Roderick Liddell, Registrar, and Marialena Tsirli, Deputy Registrar also attended the meeting. On this occasion, President Sicilianos delivered one of the open speeches.