The European Court of Human Rights has notified in writing its Chamber judgement in the case of "A1+" TV company (Meltex Ltd) and its head Mesrop Movsesyan v. Armenia, press-secretary of the European Court of Human Rights Tracey Turner-Tretz told ArmInfo correspondent.
The applicants complained about being refused broadcasting licences. According to Tracey Turner-Tretz, the Court held unanimously that there had been a violation of Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the Armenian authorities' refusal to grant the applicants' requests for broadcasting licences. The Court awarded the applicant company 20,000 euros (EUR) in respect of non-pecuniary damage and EUR 10,000 for costs and expenses. The Armenian authorities are to pay the penalty within three months from the date of a Chamber judgement, any party to the case may, in exceptional cases, request that the case be referred to the 17-member Grand Chamber of the Court. In that event, a panel of five judges considers whether the case raises a serious question affecting the interpretation or application of the Convention or its protocols, or a serious issue of general importance, in which case the Grand Chamber will deliver a final
judgement. If no such question or issue arises, the panel will reject the request, at which point the judgment becomes final. Otherwise Chamber judgements become final on the expiry of the three-month
period or earlier if the parties declare that they do not intend to make a request to refer.