ECHR to consider Georgian case vs. Russia

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will consider the claim of Georgia against Russia over deportation of ethnic Georgians from Russia five years ago on June 13, the Strasbourg Court said in its statement on Thursday.

Tbilisi wants Moscow to compensate material and moral damages for the supposed violation of the rights of hundreds of ethnic Georgians deported from Russian Federation in late September 2006 and early 2007. Deportation was preceded by tension between Georgia and Russia in connection with the arrest of Russian spies in Georgia.

In June 2009 ECHR considered acceptable Georgia's lawsuit against Russia in connection with the deportation filed in March 2007.

Now the Grand Chamber, consisting of 17 judges, which also includes the president and vice-presidents of the ECHR, will review the case.

The case is transferred to the Grand Chamber if the parties wish to appeal against the decision of the Lower House, or if the lower house, which considered the case, refuses to consider the case in favor of a higher instance.

Georgia filed another interstate lawsuit against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights in connection with the August 2008 war. As in the first case, the court considered the case acceptable and transferred it to the Grand Chamber for further consideration.


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