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The Ghedir affair In 2004, a distressing incident took place in a train station in Seine et Marne, France, involving the arrest of Mr. Ghedir, a 21-year-old man at the time. During the incident, he was physically abused by SNCF agents and police. Officers suspected Mr. Ghedir of throwing stones at the trains, which led to his arrest and subsequent handing over to the police. As a result of the abuse, Mr. Ghedir fell into a deep coma and, upon waking up several weeks later, found himself confined to a wheelchair. He was determined to have an 85% permanent partial disability.
The Tragic Incident: Abuse and Consequences for Mr. Ghedir:-
Throughout the trial, Mr. Ghedir received favorable judgments, including a dismissal, from the French courts. These decisions were confirmed by the Paris Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation in 2011. However, considering that his physical damage had not been sufficiently repaired, Mr. Ghedir seized the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in 2012.
On February 15, 2018, the ECHR issued a judgment, finalized on May 15, recognizing the link between Mr. Ghedir’s arrest and his subsequent state of health. Almost 14 years after the incident, he was finally recognized as a victim. Consequently, France was ordered to pay him 6.5 million euros in compensation for the material and moral damage he suffered.
Pursuit of justice: long road to compensation through the ECHR: –
This decision creates an exemplary precedent, highlighting the limits of the French judicial system. The European Court of Human Rights was able to award Mr. Ghedir material reparations for the harm he had suffered. This result is cause for celebration, as it demonstrates the ability of the ECHR to guarantee justice and compensation for victims when national courts fail in their duties .
