European Court of Human Rights fines Turkey over length of investigation

ISTANBUL

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The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has fined Turkey for violating Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, on the grounds that an investigation against a Turkish citizen was conducted ineffectively.

In the Mehmet Yaman vs. Turkey case, the ECHR has fined Turkey a total of 14,500 euros because the length of the investigation into Yaman violated Article 3.

On March 6, 2000, a violent altercation took place between two groups of construction workers, including Yaman, in the western province of Muğla’s Milas district, outside the local law courts. The people involved in the fight were detained by the police, and Yaman was taken to hospital after swellings were noted on his head and around one eye. He was then detained by police overnight.

Yaman was certified unfit for work for five days. On May 17, 2000 he lodged a complaint for ill-treatment against the police. In an eventual judgment almost 13 years later on Feb. 26, 2013, the criminal court declined jurisdiction to deal with the case, and the prosecution finally lapsed on Sept. 6, 2013.

In line with the ECHR verdict, Turkey was fined 12,500 euros for non-pecuniary damages and 2,000 euros for costs and expenses.