The ECHR ordered Ukraine to pay compensation to the family of Kateryna Handziuk, an activist from Kherson

The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Ukraine to pay 40,000 euros in moral damages to the parents and husband of activist Kateryna Handziuk, who was fatally doused with acid in 2018.

This is stated in the court’s ruling dated November 5.

According to the court, the state’s involvement in the fatal acid attack on the anti-corruption activist violates the right to life and freedom of expression.

A court press release states that the 2018 attack was a planned and paid-for operation. Its goal was to silence a person who served as a public watchdog.

The court also concluded that there is sufficient, clear, and consistent evidence of a close link between the attack and the exercise or abuse of state power. In the court’s assessment, this entails state liability.

In addition, the court found a violation of Article 10 of the Convention, which guarantees freedom of expression.

In the court’s view, the attack could have instilled fear among other journalists, activists, and civil society representatives. It had a particularly serious chilling effect on public discussions about corruption and abuse of power.

The court ruled that the state must pay 40,000 euros in compensation for non-pecuniary damage jointly to Kateryna Handziuk’s parents, who are the first and second applicants. Another 40,000 euros will be paid to her husband, Serhiy Denysov, the third applicant.

The state must also cover court costs in the amount of 4,000 euros.

Ірина Глухова