In Vetsev v Bulgaria [2019] ECHR 325 [in French], the applicant had been arrested and was being held in pre-trial detention. Some eight months after his arrest and detention he was informed that his brother had died and he applied to the court for leave to attend the funeral. The court initially authorised his transfer under escort, but the regional security service of the Ministry of Justice stated that, under the current law, it could only provide transport under escort for detainees for court appearances. So the domestic court set aside its order and refused to grant Mr Vetsev’s request.

Relying on Article 8 ECHR (respect for private and family life), Mr Vetsev complained about the refusal to grant him leave to attend his brother’s funeral while he was in pre-trial detention. Continue reading →