ECHR awards ex-gang member EUR 12,000 for inadequate detention conditions in Lithuania

Antonas Ščensnovičius was convicted in the Lapiniai gang case for the possession of drugs with intent to distribute. He was previously awarded a compensation of 3,000 euros by Lithuanian courts for bad detention conditions, but seven judges at the Strabourg-based court ruled that the compensation was inadequate.

According to the ECHR, Ščensnovičius spent most of his time in 2010-2013 having less than three square meters of personal space. Moreover, he was kept in deplorable conditions – dilapidated and dirty cells and furnishings, a lack of sufficient heating in winter, and poor ventilation.

“Having examined all the material submitted to it, the Court concludes that the applicant’s conditions of detention in Lukiškės Remand Prison from 24 February 2010 until 13 May 2013 amounted to degrading treatment prohibited by Article 3 of the Convention. There has accordingly been a violation of that provision,” the ECHR ruled.

Lithuania was ordered to pay Ščensnovičius 11,900 euros in non-pecuniary damage and 300 euros to cover costs and expenses.

Ščensnovičius was convicted for his participation in a criminal group and the possession and distribution of drugs. He was detained in 2010 and the first sentence was issued in 2014.

In January, the Supreme Court of Lithuania issued a final and binding ruling, sentencing him to 11 years and six months in prison. The term was reduced by six months from the sentence issued by a court of lower instance because of the delays in the criminal proceedings and the long duration of his detention on remand.