FIRST SECTION
CASE OF BAKHSHIYEV AND OTHERS v. AZERBAIJAN
(Applications nos. 51920/09, 52329/09, 65799/10, 65856/10, 65864/10, 65880/10, 65886/10, 65892/10, 65906/10, 2354/11 and 2372/11)
JUDGMENT
STRASBOURG
3 May 2012
This judgment is final but it may be subject to editorial revision.
In the case of Bakhshiyev and Others v. Azerbaijan,
The European Court of Human Rights (First Section), sitting as a committee composed of:
Peer Lorenzen, President,
Khanlar
Hajiyev,
Julia Laffranque, judges,
and André
Wampach, Deputy
Section Registrar,
Having deliberated in private on 10 April 2012,
Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date:
PROCEDURE
Mr Bunyad Bakhshiyev, born in 1966, represented by Mr Azer Humbatov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 51920/09, lodged on 19 September 2009);
Ms Sofya Zudova, born in 1980, represented by Ms Adila Mammadova, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 52329/09, lodged on 17 September 2009);
Ms Gulzar Akbarova, born in 1949, represented by Mr Nijat Ismayilov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 65799/10, lodged on 26 October 2010);
Mr Tofig Mammadov, born in 1954, represented by Mr Nijat Ismayilov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 65856/10, lodged on 26 October 2010);
Mr Asim Gabulov, born in 1965, represented by Mr Nijat Ismayilov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 65864/10, lodged on 26 October 2010);
Mr Ilgar Ahmadov, born in 1977, represented by Mr Nijat Ismayilov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 65880/10, lodged on 26 October 2010);
Ms Mahira Aliyeva, born in 1966, represented by Mr Nijat Ismayilov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 65886/10, lodged on 26 October 2010);
Ms Sara Aliyeva, born in 1952, represented by Mr Nijat Ismayilov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 65892/10, lodged on 26 October 2010);
Ms Almaz Akbarova, born in 1960, represented by Mr Nijat Ismayilov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 65906/10, lodged on 26 October 2010);
Mr Nazim Namazov, born in 1961, represented by Mr Nijat Ismayilov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 2354/11, lodged on 16 December 2010); and
Ms Sehrada Bagirova, born in 1962, represented by Mr Nijat Ismayilov, a lawyer practising in Azerbaijan (application no. 2372/11, lodged on 16 December 2010).
2. The Azerbaijani Government (“the Government”) were represented by their Agent, Mr Ç. Asgarov.
THE FACTS
I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE
II. RELEVANT DOMESTIC LAW
THE LAW
I. ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF ARTICLE 6 § 1 AND ARTICLE 13 OF THE CONVENTION AND ARTICLE 1 OF PROTOCOL No. 1 TO THE CONVENTION
“In the determination of his civil rights and obligations ..., everyone is entitled to a fair ... hearing ... by [a] ... tribunal ...”
Article 13 of the Convention reads as follows:
“Everyone whose rights and freedoms as set forth in [the] Convention are violated shall have an effective remedy before a national authority notwithstanding that the violation has been committed by persons acting in an official capacity.”
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 reads as follows:
“Every natural or legal person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions. No one shall be deprived of his possessions except in the public interest and subject to the conditions provided for by law and by the general principles of international law.
The preceding provisions shall not, however, in any way impair the right of a State to enforce such laws as it deems necessary to control the use of property in accordance with the general interest or to secure the payment of taxes or other contributions or penalties.”
A. Admissibility
1. The Court’s competence rationae temporis in applications nos. 51920/09, 52329/09, 65880/10, 65886/10, 65892/10 and 2372/11
2. Other admissibility criteria
B. Merits
II. APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 41 OF THE CONVENTION
“If the Court finds that there has been a violation of the Convention or the Protocols thereto, and if the internal law of the High Contracting Party concerned allows only partial reparation to be made, the Court shall, if necessary, afford just satisfaction to the injured party.”
A. Damage
1. Pecuniary damage
- Mr Bunyad Bakhshiyev (application no. 51920/09), claimed EUR 17,203, which included the amount he allegedly paid for renovation works in his flat and the amount he allegedly paid for renting another flat.
- Ms Gulzar Akbarova (application no. 65799/10), Mr Asim Gabulov (application no. 65864/10), Mr Ilgar Ahmadov (application no. 65880/10), Ms Mahira Aliyeva (application no. 65886/10), Ms Sara Aliyeva (application no. 65892/10), Ms Almaz Akbarova (application no. 65906/10), Mr Nazim Namazov (application no. 2354/11) and Ms Sehrada Bagirova (application no. 2372/11) claimed each EUR 22,757, which included the loss of rent as calculated from the date of the Convention’s entry into force in respect of Azerbaijan and as indexed according to the National Bank’s interest rates.
- Mr Tofig Mammadov (application no. 65856/10) claimed EUR 26,223, which included the loss of rent as calculated from the date of the Convention’s entry into force in respect of Azerbaijan and as indexed according to the National Bank’s interest rates.
- Ms Gulzar Akbarova, (application no. 65799/10): EUR 10,000
- Mr Tofig Mammadov (application no. 65856/10): EUR 5,700
- Mr Asim Gabulov, (application no. 65864/10): EUR 5,700
- Mr Ilgar Ahmadov (application no. 65880/10): EUR 9,880
- Ms Mahira Aliyeva (application no. 65886/10): EUR 9,880
- Ms Sara Aliyeva (application no. 65892/10): EUR 9,880
- Ms Almaz Akbarova (application no. 65906/10): EUR 3,100
- Mr Nazim Namazov (application no. 2354/11): EUR 5,200
- Ms Sehrada Bagirova (application no. 2372/11): EUR 9,880
No award is made to Mr Bunyad Bakhshiyev (application no. 51920/09) and Ms Sofya Zudova (application no. 52329/09) for the reasons mentioned in paragraphs 22 and 24 above.
2. Non-pecuniary damage
-Ms Gulzar Akbarova (application no. 65799/10): EUR 3,600;
-Mr Tofig Mammadov (application no. 65856/10): EUR 3,000;
-Mr Asim Gabulov (application no. 65864/10): EUR 3,000;
-Mr Ilgar Ahmadov (application no. 65880/10): EUR 3,600;
-Ms Mahira Aliyeva (application no. 65886/10): EUR 3,600;
-Ms Sara Aliyeva (application no. 65892/10): EUR 3,600;
-Ms Almaz Akbarova (application no. 65906/10): EUR 1,500;
-Mr Nazim Namazov (application no. 2354/11): EUR 2,400; and
-Ms Sehrada Bagirova (application no. 2372/11) - EUR 3,600.
B. Costs and expenses
34 Mr Bunyad Bakhshiyev (application no. 51920/09) and Ms Sofya Zudova (application no. 52329/09) did not submit any claim for costs and expenses incurred before the Court. Accordingly, the Court considers that there is no call to award them any sum under this head.
C. Default interest
FOR THESE REASONS, THE COURT UNANIMOUSLY
(a) that the respondent State is to pay the applicants, within three months, in accordance with Article 44 § 2 of the Convention, the following amounts, to be converted into Azerbaijani manats at the rate applicable at the date of settlement:
(i) in respect of damage:
- Ms Gulzar Akbarova (application no. 65799/10) EUR 10,000 (ten thousand euros) in respect of pecuniary damage and EUR 3,600 (three thousand six hundred euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
- Mr Tofig Mammadov (application no. 65856/10) EUR 5,700 (five thousand seven hundred euros) in respect of pecuniary damage and EUR 3,000 (three thousand euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
- Mr Asim Gabulov (application no. 65864/10) EUR 5,700 (five thousand seven hundred euros) in respect of pecuniary damage and EUR 3,000 (three thousand euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
- Mr Ilgar Ahmadov (application no. 65880/10) EUR 9,880 (nine thousand eight hundred eighty euros) in respect of pecuniary damage and EUR 3,600 (three thousand six hundred euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
- Ms Mahira Aliyeva (application no. 65886/10) EUR 9,880 (nine thousand eight hundred eighty euros) in respect of pecuniary damage - and EUR 3,600 (three thousand six hundred euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
- Ms Sara Aliyeva (application no. 65892/10) EUR 9,880 (nine thousand eight hundred eighty euros) in respect of pecuniary damage and EUR 3,600 (three thousand six hundred euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
- Ms Almaz Akbarova (application no. 65906/10) EUR 3,100 (three thousand one hundred euros) in respect of pecuniary damage and EUR 1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
- Mr Nazim Namazov (application no. 2354/11) EUR 5,200 (five thousand two hundred euros) in respect of pecuniary damage and EUR 2,400 (two thousand four hundred euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
- Ms Sehrada Bagirova (application no. 2372/11) EUR 9,880 (nine thousand eight hundred eighty euros) and EUR 3,600 (three thousand six hundred euros), plus any tax that may be chargeable, in respect of non-pecuniary damage;
(ii) in respect of costs and expenses, EUR 2,000 (two thousand euros), jointly for Ms Gulzar Akbarova (application no. 65799/10), Mr Tofig Mammadov (application no. 65856/10), Mr Asim Gabulov (application no. 65864/10), Mr Ilgar Ahmadov (application no. 65880/10), Ms Mahira Aliyeva (application no. 65886/10), Ms Sara Aliyeva (application no. 65892/10), Ms Almaz Akbarova (application no. 65906/10), Mr Nazim Namazov (application no. 2354/11) and Ms Sehrada Bagirova (application no. 2372/11) plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicants, to be paid into the applicants’ representative’s bank account;
(b) that from the expiry of the above-mentioned three months until settlement simple interest shall be payable on the above amounts at a rate equal to the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank during the default period plus three percentage points;
Done in English, and notified in writing on 3 May 2012, pursuant to Rule 77 §§ 2 and 3 of the Rules of Court.
André Wampach Peer Lorenzen
Deputy Registrar President
APPENDIX
Table I
Case no. |
Applicant’s name |
Document confirming the applicant’s property rights |
Date of delivery of the enforceable judgment |
Date of lodging of the application with the Court |
51920/09 |
Mr Bunyat BAKHSHIYEV
|
The ownership certificate of 16 May 2002 |
The Binagadi District Court’s judgment 4 November 1994 |
19/09/2009 |
52329/09 |
Ms Sofya ZUDOVA
|
The occupancy voucher of 20 May 1993 |
The Yasamal District Courts’ judgment of 25 April 2001 |
17/09/2009 |
65799/10 |
Ms Gulzar AKBAROVA
|
The occupancy voucher of 15 December 1997 |
The Yasamal District Court’s judgment of 12 January 2004 |
26/10/2010 |
65856/10 |
Mr Tofig MAMMADOV
|
The occupancy voucher of 22 January 1998 |
The Yasamal District Court’s judgment of 8 November 2007 |
26/10/2010 |
65864/10 |
Mr Asim GABULOV
|
The occupancy voucher of 25 February 2002 |
The Yasamal District Court’s judgment of 17 September 2007 |
26/10/2010 |
65880/10 |
Mr Ilgar AHMADOV
|
The occupancy voucher of 3 August 1998 |
The Yasamal District Court’s judgment of 21 December 1998 |
26/10/2010 |
65886/10 |
Ms Mahira ALIYEVA
|
The occupancy voucher of 2 February 1998 |
The Yasamal District Court’s judgment of 19 June 1998 |
26/10/2010 |
65892/10 |
Ms Sara ALIYEVA
|
The occupancy voucher of 4 August 1998 |
The Yasamal District Court’s judgment of 12 October 1998 |
26/10/2010 |
65906/10 |
Ms Almaz AKBAROVA
|
The occupancy voucher of 16 June 1998 |
The Yasamal District Court’s judgment of 18 June 2009 |
26/10/2010 |
2354/11 |
Mr Nazim NAMAZOV |
The occupancy voucher of 2 February 1998 |
The Yasamal District Court’s judgment of 7 January 2008 |
16/12/2010 |
2372/11 |
Ms Sehrada BAGIROVA
|
The occupancy voucher of 21 January 1998 |
The Yasamal District Court’s judgment of 9 July 1998 |
16/12/2010 |
Table II
Case no. |
Applicant’s name |
Claim for pecuniary damage (EUR) |
Amounts accepted by the Government in respect of pecuniary damage |
Amounts accepted by the Government in respect of non-pecuniary damage |
51920/09 |
Bunyad Bakhshaliyev |
17,203 |
- |
- |
52329/09 |
Sofya Zudova |
- |
- |
- |
65799/10 |
Gulzar Akbarova |
22,757 |
EUR 7,775 |
1,200 |
65856/10 |
Tofig Mammadov |
26,223 |
EUR 1,300 |
1,200 |
65864/10 |
Asim Gabulov |
22,757 |
EUR 988 |
1,200 |
65880/10 |
Ilgar Ahmadov |
22,757 |
EUR 9,880 |
3,000 |
65886/10 |
Mahira Aliyeva |
22,757 |
EUR 9,880 |
3,000 |
65892/10 |
Sara Aliyeva |
22,757 |
EUR 9,880 |
3,000 |
65906/10 |
Almaz Akbarova |
22,757 |
- |
1,200 |
2354/11 |
Nazim Namazov |
22,757 |
EUR 448 |
1,200 |
2372/11 |
Sehrada Bagirova |
22,757 |
EUR 9,880 |
3,000 |