Information Note on the Court’s case-law 259

February 2022

Bekirov and Others v. Russia (communicated cases) - 70557/14, 73977/14, 3631/15 et al.

Article 11

Article 11-1

Freedom of peaceful assembly

Administrative conviction and detention for protests held in Crimea after Russia had asserted jurisdiction over the peninsula in 2014: communicated

The case concerns 53 applications originating from the conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, after the latter asserted jurisdiction over Crimea in 2014. Most applicants participated in demonstrations in Crimea between 2014-2019, with a view to expressing their pro-Ukrainian position or protesting against prosecutions brought against Tatars by the Russian authorities in Crimea.

The applicants were charged with various breaches under Russian law in respect of the conduct of public events and convicted of administrative offences. They were sentenced either to fines of various amounts, or to administrative detention. They complain that their convictions for staging demonstrations breached their right to freedom of assembly and/or freedom of expression. Some of the applicants also complain of a breach of their right to freedom of assembly on account of the refusals of the Russian authorities to grant them authorisation to hold demonstrations.

In addition, some of the applicants complain that their arrests, transfers to police stations and administrative detention were contrary to Article 5. Finally, nearly all applicants allege that the administrative proceedings brought against them fell short of the guarantees of a fair hearing.

Communicated under Articles 5, 6 § 1, 10, 11 and 14 of the Convention.

© Council of Europe/European Court of Human Rights This summary by the Registry does not bind the Court.

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