14:34, 21 March 2008

European Court obliges Russia to pay for consequences of mudslide in Kabardino-Balkaria

The European Court for Human Rights has obliged the Russian Federation to pay 85,000 euros to six relatives of the victims of the mudslide in the city of Tyrnyauz in Kabardino-Balkaria on July 18, 2000.

The Court has found that Russian authorities, while knowing about the approaching calamity, failed to warn the population of the city and duly organize evacuation, which had resulted in the death of 8 (according to the applicants - 27) persons. Subsequently, the authorities failed to hold investigation and punish the guilty officials. Thus, the right to life of the perished citizens was violated, writes the Lenta.ru.

In particular, 30,000 euros shall be paid to Khalimat Budaeva, whose son received a serious backbone trauma, and her husband who tried to rescue his father-in-law and mother-in-law perished. 15,000 euros shall be paid to Fatima Atmurzaeva who suffered at the mudslide. The other claimants - Raya Shogenova, Nina Khakhlova and Andrei and Irina Shishkins - were awarded 10,000 euros each.