Published on 13 November 2023

THIRD SECTION

Application no. 1840/23 Marius TAFA against Albania lodged on 4 January 2023 communicated on 23 October 2023

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASE

The application concerns the applicant’s conviction and sentence to twenty-three years’ imprisonment for murder of a police officer and illegal possession of firearms. He complains that the court-appointed lawyer in his case was not afforded adequate time to prepare his defence for hearings held before the Elbasan District Court, as required by Article 6 §§ 1 and 3 (b) of the Convention.

QUESTION TO THE PARTIES

Did the applicant have a fair hearing in the determination of the criminal charges against him, in accordance with Article 6 § 1 of the Convention? In particular, was the applicant afforded adequate time to prepare his defence before the Elbasan District Court, as required by Article 6 §§ 1 and 3 (b) of the Convention (see Goddi v. Italy , 9 April 1984, § 31, Series A no. 76; Mayzit v. Russia, no. 63378/00, § 78, 20 January 2005 ; and Huseyn and Others v. Azerbaijan , nos. 35485/05 and 3 others, §§ 174-178, 26 July 2011)? Did the court-appointed lawyer have adequate time to prepare for the questioning of the witnesses at a hearing held on 1 June 2010 and to present the closing arguments on behalf of the applicant?