Published on 24 January 2022
FIRST SECTION
Application no. 70557/14
Bilyal Refat Ogly BEKIROV against Russia
and 52 other applications
(see list appended)
communicated on 15 December 2021
SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASE
The applications originate from the conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation after the Russian Federation asserted jurisdiction over Crimea in 2014.
The applications concern, in particular, the alleged interference with the applicants’ right to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or their right to freedom of expression.
Most cases concern the applicants’ participation in demonstrations in Crimea between 2014-2019 with a view to expressing their pro-Ukrainian position or protesting against various prosecutions brought against Tatars by the Russian authorities in Crimea. Each of the applicants was charged with various breaches of the procedure applicable under Russian law in respect to the conduct of public events. In some cases, the applicants were arrested and taken to police stations. Following the examination of their cases by Russian courts, the applicants were convicted of administrative offences and sentenced either to fines in various amounts, or to administrative detention. Relying on Articles 10 and/or 11 of the Convention, they complain that their convictions for staging demonstrations breached their right to freedom of assembly and/or freedom of expression.
In some of the applications, namely in applications nos. 52929/18, 17028/19, 21664/20 and 23327/21, the applicants complain of a breach of Article 11 of the Convention on account of the refusals of the Russian authorities to grant them authorisation to hold demonstrations, thereby preventing them from exercising their right to freedom of assembly.
In addition, in applications nos. 57665/16, 61583/17, 61791/17, 39983/18, 41321/18, 35089/20 and 53755/20, the applicants complain that their arrests, transfers to police stations and, where relevant, their administrative detention in connection with their participation in demonstrations were contrary to the guarantees of Article 5 of the Convention.
Lastly, all the applicants, except for the applicants in applications nos. 45911/15, 45913/15, 47032/17, 52929/18, 17028/19, 21664/20, 2672/21 and 23327/21, allege that the administrative proceedings brought against them in connection with their participation in demonstrations fell short of the guarantees of a fair hearing including, inter alia, the principles of equality of arms and lawfulness, independence and impartiality of a “tribunal”. They rely on Article 6 of the Convention in this regard.
QUESTIONS TO THE APPLICANTS AND THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT
1. Have the applicants complied with the admissibility requirements set forth in Article 35 § 1 of the Convention?
2. In applications nos. 57665/16, 61583/17, 61791/17, 39983/18, 41321/18, 35089/20 and 53755/20, were the applicants deprived of their liberty in breach of Article 5 § 1 of the Convention? In particular, was the impugned deprivation of liberty lawful and necessary within the meaning of that Article (see Navalnyy v. Russia [GC], nos. 29580/12 and 4 others, §§ 71-72, 15 November 2018)?
3. Having regard to the allegations made by the applicants in respect of the administrative proceedings, did the applicants in applications nos. 70557/14, 73977/14, 3631/15, 58391/15, 57665/16, 16784/17, 32824/17, 33119/17, 34127/17, 61583/17, 61791/17, 37044/18, 37051/18, 37056/18, 37060/18, 37066/18, 37101/18, 37105/18, 37109/18, 37112/18, 37117/18, 37215/18, 37223/18, 37239/18, 37245/18, 37318/18, 37326/18, 37330/18, 37334/18, 37339/18, 37340/18, 37343/18, 37350/18, 37354/18, 38051/18, 39983/18, 40705/18, 40846/18, 41066/18, 41152/18, 41261/18, 41321/18, 41994/18, 35089/20, and 53755/20 have a fair hearing in the determination of the criminal charges against them, in accordance with Article 6 § 1 of the Convention? In particular, were the applicants’ cases dealt with by impartial tribunals established by law? Did the absence of a prosecuting party in the relevant proceedings entail a violation of the principles of equality of arms, adversarial procedure and impartiality under Article 6 § 1 of the Convention (in this connection, see Karelin v. Russia, no. 926/08, §§ 69-85, 20 September 2016)?”
4. In respect of all applicants, except for the applicants in application no. 73977/14, who did not invoke the relevant Convention provision, has there been an interference with the applicants’ right to freedom of peaceful assembly within the meaning of Article 11 § 1 of the Convention? If so, was that interference justified under Article 11 § 2 of the Convention?
5. As regards application no. 2672/21, did the applicant suffer discrimination on the grounds of religion and/or ethnic and national origin, contrary to Article 14 of the Convention in conjunction with Article 11?
QUESTIONS TO THE APPLICANTS AND THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT IN APPLICATIONS NOS. 45911/15 AND 45913/15
1. Have the applicants in these two applications complied with the admissibility requirements set forth in Article 35 § 1 of the Convention?
2. Has there been an interference with the applicants’ right to freedom of peaceful assembly within the meaning of Article 11 § 1 of the Convention in these two applications? If so, was that interference justified under Article 11 § 2 of the Convention?
APPENDIX
No.
Application no.
Case name
Lodged on
Applicant
Year of Birth
Place of Residence
Nationality
Represented by
1.
70557/14
Bekirov v. Russia
24/10/2014
Bilyal Refat Ogly BEKIROV
1992
Novopavlovka
Ukrainian
Mykhaylo Oleksandrovych TARAKHKALO
2.
73977/14
Ametov and Others v. Russia
11/11/2014
Veli Serverovich AMETOV
1986
Samokhvalovo
Ukrainian
Bilyal Refat Ogly BEKIROV
1992
Novopavlovka
Ukrainian
Lyufti Ablyazovich ALIYEV
1973
Novostepnoye
Ukrainian
Gulsum Smailovna ALIYEVA
1976
Novostepnoye
Ukrainian
Enver Bakhredinovich AMIRSHOYEV
1965
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Lenur Bakhshishevich ASANOV
1953
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Nariman Rustamovich AZMIYEV
1986
Novoalekseyevka
Ukrainian
Lenur Ridvanovich BEKIROV
1979
Samokhvalovo
Ukrainian
Server Remziyevich BEKIROV
1986
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Mansur BILYALOV
1939
Pochtovoye
Ukrainian
Elzara Gafarovna DZHEMADINOVA
1982
Mendeleyevo
Ukrainian
Fevzi Memetovich DZHIRIKOV
1951
Pochtovoye
Ukrainian
Emir Ablayevich EDEMOV
1971
Sevastyanovka
Ukrainian
Refat Midatovich ISMAILOV
1959
Topoli
Ukrainian
Khalil Mustafayevich KHALILOV
1973
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Mustafa KHALILOV
1948
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Serven Bakhtiyerovich KHALILOV
1982
Zavetnoye
Ukrainian
Anife Saitovna KROSH
1954
Novostepnoye
Ukrainian
Amet Enverovich KURTNAZAROV
1992
Sevastyanovka
Ukrainian
Eyub Aliyevich MAMUTOV
1968
Novostepnoye
Ukrainian
Levat Midatovich MEMETOV
1987
Zavetnoye
Ukrainian
Midat MEMETOV
1956
Zavetnoye
Ukrainian
Edem Mamutovich MUSTAFAYEV
1952
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Emil Edemovich MUSTAFAYEV
1977
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Ruslan Ilyasovich NEMETULLAYEV
1967
Amurskoye
Ukrainian
Anfe Server-Arifovna OSMANOVA
1984
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Zarema Arkadyevna SEYTKHALILOVA
1962
Bakhchisaray
Ukrainian
Bekir Rasimovich SEYTVAPOV
1976
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Rustem Rizayevich SHEYKHALIYEV
1971
Amurskoye
Ukrainian
Seran Serverovich SIDIKOV
1980
Topoli
Ukrainian
Nuri Assanovich TEMIRKHALIYEV
1952
Zavetnoye
Ukrainian
Ebazer Mustafayevich VELIYEV
1984
Zavetnoye
Ukrainian
Nikolay Sergeyevich ZBOROSHENKO
3.
3631/15
Neganov v. Russia
24/12/2014
Viktor Vadymovych NEGANOV
1985
Kyiv
Ukrainian
Mykhaylo Oleksandrovych TARAKHKALO
4.
45911/15
Shukurdzhiyev v. Russia and Ukraine
08/09/2015
Veldar Samadinovich SHUKURDZHIYEV
1975
Simferopol
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Romanivna MARTYNOVSKA
5.
45913/15
Kuzmin v. Russia and Ukraine
08/09/2015
Leonid Aleksandrovich KUZMIN
1990
Simferopol
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Romanivna MARTYNOVSKA
6.
58391/15
Ametova v. Russia
17/11/2015
Saniye Isayivna AMETOVA
1957
Orlovske
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Romanivna MARTYNOVSKA
7.
57665/16
Kopylova v. Russia
21/09/2016
Irina Valeryevna KOPYLOVA
1977
Simferopol
Ukrainian
Nikolay Sergeyevich ZBOROSHENKO
8.
16784/17
Saliyev v. Russia
23/02/2017
Seyran Alimovich SALIYEV
1985
Rostov-na-Donu
Russian
Mykhaylo Oleksandrovych TARAKHKALO
9.
32824/17
Bilyalov v. Russia
28/04/2017
Emil Yunusovych BILYALOV
1986
Novenke
Russian
Darya Oleksandrivna SVYRYDOVA
10.
33119/17
Asanov v. Russia
28/04/2017
Marlen Rifatovich ASANOV
1977
Rostov-na-Donu
Russian
Darya Oleksandrivna SVYRYDOVA
11.
34127/17
Bilyalov v. Russia
28/04/2017
Emin Yunusovych BILYALOV
1986
Novenke
Russian
Darya Oleksandrivna SVYRYDOVA
12.
47032/17
Muslyadinov and Others v. Russia
13/06/2017
Alim Izetovich MUSLYADINOV
1995
Sudak
Russian
Ablyakim Dilyaverovich ABLYAKIMOV
1994
Sudak
Russian
Enver Fakhriyevich CHAVUSH
1996
Sudak
Russian
Seytmamut Dzhelyalovich SEYTUMEROV
1996
Sudak
Russian
Aleksandr Vasilyevich POPKOV
13.
61583/17
Arifmemetov and Оthers v. Russia
03/08/2017
Osman Feratovich ARIFMEMETOV
1985
Rostov-na-Donu
Ukrainian
Remzi Rustemovych BEKIROV
1985
Pervomayske
Ukrainian
Valeriy Mykhaylovych GRIGOR
1971
Simferopol
Ukrainian
Riza Mustafayevich IZETOV
1979
Rostov-na-Donu
Ukrainian
Alim Egamberdiyovych KARIMOV
1994
CRIMEE
Ukrainian
Ruslan Serverovych SULEYMANOV
1983
Syennoye
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Romanivna MARTYNOVSKA
14.
61791/17
Abdurakhmanov and Others v. Russia
08/08/2017
Ablyakim Anafiyevych ABDURAKHMANOV
1977
Gvardiyske
Ukrainian
Medzhit Anafiyevych ABDOURAKHMANOV
1975
Simferopol
Ukrainian
Seyran Kemadinovich MURTAZA
1983
Rostov-na-Donu
Ukrainian
Envyer Nedimovych TASINOV
1976
Vishenne
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Romanivna MARTYNOVSKA
15.
37044/18
Kutuzov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Rimzi Shevketovich KUTUZOV
1962
Timofeyevka
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
16.
37051/18
Rustemov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Ruslan Ismailovich RUSTEMOV
1982
Staryy Krym
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
17.
37056/18
Dani v. Russia
30/07/2018
Eral Asanovich DANI
1978
Staryy Krym
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
18.
37060/18
Murakhas v. Russia
30/07/2018
Mustafa Rustemovich MURAKHAS
1989
Medvedevka
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
19.
37066/18
Zekeryayev v. Russia
30/07/2018
Ayder Abdumadzhitovich ZEKERYAYEV
1970
Konstantinovka
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
20.
37101/18
Zekeryayev v. Russia
30/07/2018
Leman Abdumadzhitovich ZEKERYAYEV
1973
Dzhankoy
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
21.
37105/18
Ziyadinov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Avlyamit Suleymanovich ZIYADINOV
1990
Mnogovodnoye
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
22.
37109/18
Asanov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Riza Kadirovich ASANOV
1962
Timofeyevka
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
23.
37112/18
Suleymanov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Ayder Osmanovich SULEYMANOV
1989
Perepelkino
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
24.
37117/18
Suleymanov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Ruslan Serverovych SULEYMANOV
1983
Stroganovka
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
25.
37215/18
Suleymanov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Ali Dlyaverovich SULEYMANOV
1985
Simferopol
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
26.
37223/18
Kantemirov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Eldar Shukurievich KANTEMIROV
1980
Zarechnoye
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
27.
37239/18
Kerimov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Lenur Lenterovich KERIMOV
1988
Medvedevka
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
28.
37245/18
Ibragimov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Ayder Muzafarovich IBRAGIMOV
1989
Protochnoye
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
29.
37318/18
Abdurakhmanov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Medzhit Anafiyevich ABDURAKHMANOV
1975
Rostov-na-Donu
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
30.
37326/18
Abibullayev v. Russia
30/07/2018
Eridzhep Narimanovich ABIBULLAYEV
1998
Medvedevka
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
31.
37330/18
Aliyev v. Russia
30/07/2018
Akhtem Seryanovich ALIYEV
1973
Pionerskoye
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
32.
37334/18
Aliyev v. Russia
30/07/2018
Nadir Akramzhonovich ALIYEV
1998
Perepelkino
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
33.
37339/18
Emiruseinov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Reshat Asanovich EMIRUSEINOV
1950
Oktyabrskoye
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
34.
37340/18
Ametov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Nariman Delyaverovich AMETOV
1970
Lobanovo
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
35.
37343/18
Asanov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Bakhtiyer Rizayevich ASANOV
1960
Pionerskoye
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
36.
37350/18
Urimov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Aziz Salidzhanovich URIMOV
1984
Staryy Krym
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
37.
37354/18
Bekirov v. Russia
30/07/2018
Edem Asanovich BEKIROV
1976
Ozernoye
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Yuryevna MOISEYEVA
38.
38051/18
Bovbekiv and Others v. Russia
30/06/2018
Leman Mambetovych BOVBEKIV
1991
Bila Skala
Ukrainian
Eldar Enverovych EMIR-USEIN
1989
Mychuryne
Ukrainian
Dzhamadin Myenellyayevych ZIYADINOV
1957
Grushevka
Ukrainian
Ebubekir Aliyevych ZIYADINOV
1987
Alushta
Ukrainian
Tair Suleymanovych IBRAGIMOV
1949
Sudak
Ukrainian
Zekiya Vaitovych KULAMETOV
1959
Staryy Krym
Ukrainian
Rustam KURKCHY
1960
Staryy Krym
Ukrainian
Sadri Mammetovych MURATOV
1979
Byelogorsk
Ukrainian
Seitbilol Seitmamutovych SEITMEMETOV
1963
Sudak
Ukrainian
Server Seydaliyevych SEYTIBRAMOV
1960
Zavetne
Ukrainian
Ruslan Rystamovych UMEROV
1978
Ulyanovka
Ukrainian
Envyer Ryeshadovych KHALILOV
1959
Yalta
Ukrainian
Simar Narimanovych YAKUBOV
1986
Staryy Krym
Ukrainian
Anastasiya Romanivna MARTYNOVSKA
39.
39983/18
Muratov v. Russia
15/08/2018
Ali Mametovich MURATOV
1981
Ukromnoye
Russian
Yevgeniya Aleksandrovna ZAKREVSKAYA
40.
40705/18
Ablyatipov v. Russia
15/08/2018
Server Umerovich ABLYATIPOV
1964
Novopokrovka
Russian
Alina Vladimirovna YESIPOVA
41.
40846/18
Ablyatipov v. Russia
05/08/2018
Enver Umerovich ABLYATIPOV
1963
Protochnoye
Russian
Alina Vladimirovna YESIPOVA
42.
41066/18
Ablyatipov v. Russia
05/08/2018
Umer Mukhamedovich ABLYATIPOV
1996
Novopokrovka
Russian
Alina Vladimirovna YESIPOVA
43.
41152/18
Ablyatipov v. Russia
12/08/2018
Abdulkhay Umerovich ABLYATIPOV
1966
Novopokrovka
Russian
Alina Vladimirovna YESIPOVA
44.
41261/18
Ablyatipov v. Russia
12/08/2018
Mimet Umerovich ABLYATIPOV
1955
Novopokrovka
Russian
Alina Vladimirovna YESIPOVA
45.
41321/18
Azizov v. Russia
12/08/2018
Enver Iskanderovich AZIZOV
1976
Ukromnoye
Russian
Yevgeniya Aleksandrovna ZAKREVSKAYA
46.
41994/18
Ablayev v. Russia
23/07/2018
Delyaver Rayedovich ABLAYEV
1968
Novostepnoye
Russian
Aleksandr Dmitriyevich PEREDRUK
47.
52929/18
Nikolayev v. Russia
22/10/2018
Eduard Anatolyevich NIKOLAYEV
1971
Rostov-na-Donu
Russian,Ukrainian
48.
17028/19
Nikolayev v. Russia
04/03/2019
Eduard Anatolyevich NIKOLAYEV
1971
Rostov-na-Donu
Russian, Ukrainian
49.
21664/20
Nikolayev v. Russia
27/03/2020
Eduard Anatolyevich NIKOLAYEV
1971
Rostov-na-Donu
Russian, Ukrainian
50.
35089/20
Abdullayev and Others v. Russia
06/08/2020
Edem Rustemovich ABDULLAYEV
1958
Sudak
Russian
Osman Narimanovich ABDURAZAKOV
1984
Dzhankoy
Russian
Enver Edemovich ALIYEV
1982
Golubinka
Russian
Marlen Dzhafirovich AKHAYEV
1987
Turgenevo
Russian
Rustem Asanovich DZHELYALOV
1976
Oktyabrskoye
Russian
Emin Ebazerovich RUSTEMOV
1998
Staryy Krym
Russian
Ametkhan Ayderovich UMEROV
1986
Bakhchisaray
Russian
Kyazim Nebiyevich USEINOV
1970
Bakhchisaray
Russian
Vanessa KOGAN
51.
53755/20
Kamilov and Sayfullin v. Russia
25/11/2020
Refat Shakirovich KAMILOV
1960
Sudak
Russian
Izet Narimanovich SAYFULLIN
1986
Staryy Krym
Russian
Vanessa KOGAN
52.
2672/21
Useynov v. Russia
15/09/2020
Edem Remziyevich USEYNOV
1973
Alushta
Ukrainian
Sergiy Anatoliyovych ZAYETS
53.
23327/21
Nikolayev v. Russia
30/12/2020
Eduard Anatolyevich NIKOLAYEV
1971
Rostov-na-Donu
Russian, Ukrainian