Published on 26 August 2024
FIRST SECTION
Applications nos. 43413/11 and 64883/11
Teresa ARCHINÀ against Italy
and Cosimo COMMISSO against Italy
lodged on 30 June 2011 and 3 June 2011 respectively
communicated on 11 July 2024
SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASE
The applications concern the confiscation of the applicants’ assets as a preventive measure pursuant to Law no. 575 of 31 May 1965.
Mr Commisso was convicted of participation in a mafia-type organisation and of multiple murders, respectively in 1998 and 1999.
In separate set of proceedings for the application of preventive measures initiated in 1993, he was declared socially dangerous in accordance with Article 2 ter (3) of Law no. 575 of 1965 (pericolosità qualificata or “special dangerousness”). On these grounds, the domestic courts ordered the confiscation of his assets, as well as of assets formally belonging to his wife, Ms Archinà, which they considered to be at her husband’s disposal. The confiscation became final by Court of Cassation’s judgment no. 32540 of 10 May 2011, filed with the registry on 19 August 2011.
The applicants complain of a violation of Article 6 § 1 of the Convention on account of the lack of a public hearing before the District Court and the Court of Appeal.
QUESTION TO THE PARTIES
Was the exclusion of the public from the courtroom in the applicant’s case, in accordance with Article 4 of Law no. 1423/1956 and Article 2 ter of Law no. 575/1965, as applicable at the relevant time, compatible with Article 6 § 1 of the Convention (see Bocellari and Rizza v. Italy, no. 399/02, § 41, 13 November 2007; Perre and Others v. Italy, no. 1905/05, § 26, 8 July 2008; Bongiorno and Others v. Italy, no. 4514/07, §§ 27-30, 5 January 2010; Leone v. Italy, no. 30506/07, §§ 26-29, 2 February 2010; and Capitani and Campanella, no. 24920/07, § 26-29, 17 May 2011)?