Interfax-Ukraine
09:42 23.06.2016

ECHR initiates first Crimean assets forfeiture case

2 min read
ECHR initiates first Crimean assets forfeiture case

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has accepted for consideration the complaint of OJSC Feodosia Shipbuilding Company Morye on violation of rights of the company as a result of unlawful nationalization of its property in Crimea.

Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm that drafted the complaint said in a press release that the ECHR accepted it on May 27.

"The court will actually for the first time consider legitimacy of interference with the ownership right to the assets of Morye shipyard by self-proclaimed authorities in Crimea without compensation of their value, as well as violation of the company’s right to a fair trial," the law firm said.

Senior Partner at Ilyashev & Partners Roman Marchenko, the asset manager of Morye shipyard, said that the shipyard the company made every effort to appeal against the decisions of the Crimean authorities in courts of the Russian Federation. However, the proceedings (quite predictably) had no effect, he said.

"In this situation the company had no choice, but to complain to the European Court of Justice, about violation of its right to a fair trial guaranteed by Article 6 of the Convention. At this stage, the 'field of battle' for the state property confiscated in Crimea moved to Strasbourg," the lawyer said.

Morye shipbuilding company was an internationally famous producer of high-speed ships and hydrofoils, pleasure yachts, and cutters. It was fully belonged to the state of Ukraine.

Under a decision of the Ukrainian government, in July 2012 a 100% stake in the shipyard was transferred to the management of state concern Ukroboronprom.

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