Europe Fines Azerbaijan for Failing to Compensate Displaced Residents
World
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has fined the Azerbaijani government €1.7 million for violating property rights. According to the case "Bagvanov and Others v. Azerbaijan," during the construction of the "Winter Park" in Baku, local residents' homes and properties were demolished under city authorities' orders, and residents were relocated.
City authorities offered compensation of 1,500 manats per square meter, but these payments were treated as purchase agreements rather than expropriation compensation. Most residents were forced to sign these agreements after their homes were demolished.
Residents later appealed to local courts, contesting the legality of the agreements and the insufficient compensation, but their claims were dismissed. The plaintiffs then appealed to the ECHR, citing violations of their rights to a fair trial and property rights.
In 2022, the ECHR ruled that the expropriation of property did not meet the "conditions prescribed by law" and gave the parties time to resolve the issue of compensation.
On January 14, 2025, the ECHR announced that the government must pay a total of €1,693,000 to 18 applicants for material and moral damages. The Azerbaijani government has been ordered to complete the payments to the victims within three months.
Residents later appealed to local courts, contesting the legality of the agreements and the insufficient compensation, but their claims were dismissed. The plaintiffs then appealed to the ECHR, citing violations of their rights to a fair trial and property rights.
In 2022, the ECHR ruled that the expropriation of property did not meet the "conditions prescribed by law" and gave the parties time to resolve the issue of compensation.
On January 14, 2025, the ECHR announced that the government must pay a total of €1,693,000 to 18 applicants for material and moral damages. The Azerbaijani government has been ordered to complete the payments to the victims within three months.
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