The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) announced Tuesday its verdict in the case of the former Minister of Transport and Communications, Mile Janakieski, against North Macedonia. The case pertained to the imposed detention measures in the criminal proceedings related to the “April 27” and the “Spanish Steps” cases. The court ruled that his rights under Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights had been violated.
“The case concerns two sets of criminal proceedings against Mr. Janakieski, the first for terrorist threat to constitutional order and security, and the second for abuse of office, during which he was deprived of liberty by decisions of the domestic courts. Relying on Article 5 (right to liberty and security) of the Convention, Mr. Janakieski complains of alleged unlawfulness and arbitrariness, lack of relevant and sufficient reasons and lack of speedy review of his deprivation of liberty,” said the court in a press release.
Janakieski was under house arrest for almost five years, and also served in the Skopje prison in Shutka. His detention was determined due to flight risk, influence of the investigation, etc. Janakieski submitted a series of appeals in which he pointed out these circumstances, which were all rejected.
