The European Court has ordered Ukraine to pay €5,000 to a Ukrainian citizen for restricting family visits to prison and monitoring his correspondence

The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Ukraine to pay €5,000 in compensation for moral damages caused to 43-year-old Oleh Trosin by the restriction of family visits and the reading of his correspondence in prison.

This was stated in a message from the court's press service.

The court made the relevant decision at a meeting on 23 February. The report notes that the Ukrainian is currently serving a life sentence for murder.

Following his conviction in April 2005 until February 2010, he was permitted visits with relatives no more than once every six months, and afterwards — once every 3 months.

Furthermore, Trosin was permitted to communicate with visitors exclusively through glass and in the presence of a prison officer.

The Ukrainian had complained to the European Court regarding the restrictions imposed by prison staff on visits from relatives, as well as the reading of his correspondence.

The Court recognised a violation of Article 8 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (the right to respect for private and family life).

This decision may be appealed upon the request of either party within 3 months.

Recall that on 16 February, the European Court of Human Rights ordered Ukraine to pay €44,350 in compensation to 39-year-old Kharkiv resident Vyacheslav Savin for unlawful detention and torture.