EU Court fines Turkey over right violations

ROME

EPA photo

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has fined Turkey 45,000 euros over the violation of Article 3, pursuant to an applicant’s claim of ill-treatment while in custody.

Arrested on March 2000 on suspicion of establishing a criminal organization and committing fraud, threats and bribery, Tamer Taylan, 44, complained that the police mistreated him in custody later the same day by stripping him naked, beating and electrifying him, hanging him by the arms, forcing him to sit naked on cold ground and hosing him with water. 

Prohibition of torture

He also complained that the related criminal proceedings against the police officers had drawn on for too long. 

He relied in particular on Article 3, which deals with the prohibition of torture. The court found Turkey culpable in Taylan’s case and fined it 45,000 euros in non-pecuniary damages. 

The court has also ruled against Turkey in three other cases in which it has been fined up to 10,000 euros.