Communicated on 4 March 2020 Published on 23 March 2020

SECOND SECTION

Application no. 27402/16 V.P. against the Republic of Moldova lodged on 27 April 2016

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASE

The application concerns the applicant’s conviction and sentencing to sixteen years’ imprisonment for paedophilia and trafficking in persons on charges that he paid two minors of 15 and 16 years of age to have sex with him . According to the accusation, the minors were delivered to him by their pimp.

During the court proceedings, the applicant requested that the two minors (who were no longer minors at the time) and the alleged pimp be heard. However, the courts rejected his request and merely relied on their statements given during the investigation phase of the proceedings.

The applicant complains under Article 6 § 1 and 3 (d) that he was not able to put questions to the alleged victims and the alleged pimp.

QUESTION TO THE PARTIES

Did the applicant have a fair hearing in the determination of the criminal charge(s) against him , in accordance with Article 6 § 1 and 3 (d) of the Convention ( Al-Khawaja and Tahery v. the United Kingdom ( [GC], nos 26766/05 and 22228/06, § 119, 15 December 2011 ) ?