In the case of Durdaj and Others v. Albania, the Court has found a violation of the procedural aspect of the right to life.

The case concerned an explosion at a facility set up by the State authorities for dismantling decommissioned and obsolete weapons, machinery and equipment of the armed forces. In total, 26 people died and over 300 were injured.

The Court found that the applicants had been deprived of the possibility to participate effectively in the criminal trial. Moreover, the criminal proceedings against the former Minister of Defence for abuse of office are still pending, thus leaving the applicants without a final conclusion as to his responsibility more than 14 years after the explosion.

• Press release