CEDH · PRESS;GENERAL;ENG — 20 janvier 2000

.s800EAC49 { font-size:12pt } .sFE10DC93 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center } .s29100277 { font-family:Arial; font-weight:bold } .sA1D3DA2E { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify } .s94935B0F { width:389.85pt; display:inline-block } .sBB9EE52A { font-family:Arial } .s76CF415B { page-break-before:always; clear:both } .s32563E28 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt } .s4DDA3AA3 { font-family:Arial; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic } .s7ED160F0 { text-decoration:none } .s33165EBA { font-family:Arial; font-size:8pt; vertical-align:super; color:#0069d6 } .sD35C6159 { width:1.54pt; display:inline-block } .s38DD6A04 { width:18.2pt; display:inline-block } .sCB27B9E { width:16.66pt; display:inline-block } .sC5412BEF { width:51.05pt; display:inline-block } .sA36B60A1 { font-family:Arial; font-style:italic } .sF6A12959 { width:33%; height:1px; text-align:left } .s2EB42ED2 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt } .s653E6C45 { font-family:Arial; font-size:6.67pt; vertical-align:super; color:#0069d6 } EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS     28   20.1.2000     Press release issued by the Registrar   HEARING IN THE CASE OF VELIKOVA v. BULGARIA   Thursday, 20 January 2000 at 9.30 a.m.       The applicant   The case concerns an application brought by a Bulgarian national, Anya Velikova, who was born in 1952 and lives in Pleven.   Summary of the facts   In 1994 Slavcho Tsonchev, the man with whom the applicant had lived for many years, who is a Romany, died in police custody some 12 hours after his arrest on suspicion of theft of cattle. The investigation into the events has allegedly been dormant since December 1994 despite the applicant's numerous complaints to the prosecution authorities.   Complaints   Mrs Velikova complains that Mr Tsonchev died as a result of intentional ill-treatment by the police, in violation of Article 2 (right to life) of the European Convention on Human Rights. She further complains under Article 2 that Mr Tsonchev did not receive adequate medical treatment while in police custody and that the authorities failed adequately to protect his right to life by undertaking a prompt, thorough and effective investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The applicant also alleges that the excessive length of the criminal investigation into Mr Tsonchev’s death constitutes a violation of her right under Article 6 § 1 of the Convention to have her civil right to compensation decided within a reasonable time. She submits that there has been a violation of Article 13, in that Bulgarian law does not provide for an effective remedy in the face of inactivity of the prosecuting authorities, and, in breach of Article 14, that the police officers' perception of Mr Tsonchev's Romany origin was a decisive factor in contributing to his ill ‑ treatment and murder.   Procedure   The application was lodged with the European Commission of Human Rights on 12   February 1998. On 1 November 1998 the case was transmitted to the Court. The Court (Fourth Section) declared the application admissible on 18 May 1999.       Composition of the Court   The case will be heard by a Chamber composed as follows:   Matti Pellonpää (Finnish), President , Georg Ress (German), Ireneu Cabral Barreto (Portuguese), Volodymyr Butkevych (Ukrainian), Nina Vajić (Croatian), John Hedigan (Irish), Snejana Botoucharova (Bulgarian), Judges , Antonio Pastor Ridruejo (Spanish), Lucius Caflisch [1] (Swiss), Jerzy Makarczyk (Polish), Substitute Judges;   and also Vincent Berger , Section Registrar .   Representatives of the parties   Government:   Violina Djidjeva , Agent ; Applicant:   Yonko Grozev , Counsel .   The applicant will also attend the hearing.   ***   After the hearing the Court will begin its deliberations, which are held in private. Judgment will be delivered at a later date.   Registry of the European Court of Human Rights F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex Contacts:   Roderick Liddell (telephone: (0)3 88 41 24 92)   Emma Hellyer (telephone: (0)3 90 21 42 15) Fax: (0)3 88 41 27 91   The European Court of Human Rights was set up in Strasbourg in 1959 to deal with alleged violations of the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights. On 1 November 1998 a full-time Court was established, replacing the original two-tier system of a part-time Commission and Court. [1] Elected as the judge in respect of Liechtenstein.