The European Court of Human Rights passed judgment in the case of Paladi v. Moldova on May 14. The Court held unanimously that there had been a violation of Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment) of the European Convention on Human Rights, of Article 5 § 1 (right to liberty and security) of the Convention and of Article 34 (right of individual petition).

The applicant, Ion Paladi, was Deputy Mayor of Chisinau and a university lecturer. In 2006 he was declared as having a second-degree disability. On 24 September 2004 Mr Paladi was taken into custody on a 30-day detention order and placed in the Centre for Fighting Economic Crime and Corruption on suspicion of abuse of position and power. He stayed there until 25 February 2005 when he was transferred to Remand Centre no. 3 of the Ministry of Justice in Chisinau

Paladi suffers from a number of serious illnesses (diabetes, angina, heart failure, hypertension, chronic bronchitis, pancreatitis and hepatitis) and, whilst in detention, was examined by various doctors who all recommended medical supervision. Certain doctors considered that operations, which could only be carried out in specialised units, were necessary.

According to Paladi, the CFECC had no medical staff until late February 2005. He also claimed that he, his wife and lawyer had complained to the authorities about the insufficient medical treatment, but had only been able to obtain sporadic medical visits and assistance in emergencies.

Paladi complained in particular that, during his detention, he had not been given appropriate medical assistance. He also complained in particular about there having been no relevant reasons for prolonging his detention pending trial and about the length of time taken and refusals to examine his requests for release.

The Court awarded Paladi 2,080 EUR in respect of pecuniary damage, EUR 15,000 in respect of non-pecuniary damage and EUR 4,000 for costs and expenses// Reporter.MD


Publication date: 16 May 2008   

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