European Court Begins Deliberation of Murder Cases in Donbass

The Court will examine allegations of torture, illegal detention, and the violation of the right to life.

As stated on the official website of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, this case has raised for the first time the question of Russia’s responsibility for the actions of separatists in the area of the ATO.

The case combines five other cases of allegations of torture, illegal detention, and violations of the right to life.

Mikhailo Tarahkalo, Director of Strategic Litigations Fund of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, said that in the event of victory in the European Court of Human Rights, the fact of Russia’s responsibility for the actions of the separatist of so-called “LPR” and “DPR” will be recognized.

“This will be the first decision, by an independent international body, that will recognize the implementation of Russian control over the territory of Donbass and the extension of its jurisdiction over the territory. In the case of the verification of violations, Russia will be forced to pay substantial compensation to the applicants in this case,” says a statement by the UHHRU.

The case is supported by the Foundation for Strategic Affairs of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union.