In the case of Ainis and Others v. Italy, the Court held that there had been a violation of the right to life.

The case concerned the applicants’ relative who had died from a drug overdose while in police custody in Milan. He had been arrested as part of an anti-drug-trafficking operation. The Italian courts had found no liability on the part of the Ministry of the Interior.

The Court found that the Government had failed to provide convincing arguments or evidence that sufficient steps – such as searches or medical assistance – had been taken to protect the life of the applicant’s relative while in the Milan police headquarters.

• Press release