SECOND SECTION

DECISION

Application no. 80544/12 Fredi ALIAJ against Albania

The European Court of Human Rights (Second Section), sitting on 2 April 2019 as a Committee composed of:

Valeriu Griţco, President, Ivana Jelić, Darian Pavli, judges,

and Hasan Bakırcı , Deputy Section Registrar ,

Having regard to the above application lodged on 16 November 2012,

Having deliberated, decides as follows:

FACTS AND PROCEDURE

The applicant, Mr Fredi Aliaj, is an Albanian national, who was born in 1989 and lives in Peqin. He was represented before the Court by Mr Th. Sollaku, a lawyer practising in Tirana.

The Albanian Government (“the Government”) were represented by their then Agent, Ms Alma Hicka, of the State ’ s Advocate ’ s Office.

The applicant ’ s complaints under Article 6 of the Convention concerning the fairness of the proceedings in absentia and his ability to defend himself through legal assistance of his own choosing were communicated to the Government on 21 September 2017. The Government submitted their observations on the admissibility and merits of the case.

The applicant failed to respond to the Registry ’ s letter of 16 May 2018 (received by his representative on 30 May 2018), reminding him that the period allowed for submission of his observations in reply had expired on 12 March 2018 and that no extension of time had been requested. His attention was drawn to Article 37 § 1 (a) of the Convention.

THE LAW

The Court considers that, in these circumstances, the applicant may be regarded as no longer wishing to pursue his application, within the meaning of Article 37 § 1 (a) of the Convention. Furthermore, in accordance with Article 37 § 1 in fine , the Court finds no special circumstances regarding respect for human rights as defined in the Convention and its Protocols which require the continued examination of the case.

In view of the above, it is appropriate to strike the case out of the list.

For these reasons, the Court, unanimously,

Decides to strike the application out of its list of cases.

Done in English and notified in writing on 9 May 2019 .

Hasan Bakırcı Valeriu Griţco Deputy Registrar President