The ECHR awarded 30 thousand euros to the father of a domestic violence victim

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) approved a settlement agreement between the Russian authorities and Nikolai Ovchinnikov, whose daughter was killed by her husband, and ordered Russia to pay 30,000 euros in compensation. This was reported to Novaya Gazeta in the Zone of Law.

Anna Ovchinnikova, a resident of Cheboksary, was strangled by her husband Alexander Anufriev in September 2018. Subsequently, he was sentenced to 14 years and 10 months in prison, but the Supreme Court of Chuvashia acquitted him under the article on the threat to kill or cause grievous bodily harm (Article 119 of the Criminal Code).

A month before her death, Ovchinnikova went to the police with a statement about the threats coming from her husband. The Supreme Court of Chuvashia considered that it was impossible to establish their reality due to the death of the victim.

Ovchinnikov also appealed to the Constitutional Court, which indicated that “in court, the existence of threats can be confirmed not only by the victim herself, but also by eyewitnesses, medical workers, employees of the authorities, where the victim applied for help.” The CC noted that the murder itself proves the existence of threats during the life of the victim. He also recalled that public authorities must have the means to prevent violence. They are required to “provide victims with justified complaints effective protection against threats as a form of psychological abuse in which the victim may experience fear.”

In September last year, in connection with Ovchinnikov's complaint, the ECHR sent Russia questions about the existence and operation of a risk assessment methodology for victims of domestic violence. Russian legislation does not provide for criminal liability for him at the moment.