OTHMAN (ABU QATADA) v. THE UNITED KINGDOM JUDGMENT
83
- conviction in absentia with no possibility subsequently to obtain a
fresh determination of the merits of the charge (Einhorn, cited above, § 33;
Sejdovic, cited above, § 84; Stoichkov, cited above, § 56);
- a trial which is summary in nature and conducted with a total disregard
for the rights of the defence (Bader and Kanbor, cited above, § 47);
- detention without any access to an independent and impartial tribunal
to have the legality the detention reviewed (Al-Moayad, cited above, § 101);
- deliberate and systematic refusal of access to a lawyer, especially for
an individual detained in a foreign country (ibid.).
260. It is noteworthy that, in the twenty-two years since the Soering
judgment, the Court has never found that an expulsion would be in violation
of Article 6. This fact, when taken with the examples given in the preceding
paragraph, serves to underline the Court’s view that “flagrant denial of
justice” is a stringent test of unfairness. A flagrant denial of justice goes
beyond mere irregularities or lack of safeguards in the trial procedures such
as might result in a breach of Article 6 if occurring within the Contracting
State itself. What is required is a breach of the principles of fair trial
guaranteed by Article 6 which is so fundamental as to amount to a
nullification, or destruction of the very essence, of the right guaranteed by
that Article.
261. In assessing whether this test has been met, the Court considers that
the same standard and burden of proof should apply as in Article 3
expulsion cases. Therefore, it is for the applicant to adduce evidence
capable of proving that there are substantial grounds for believing that, if he
is removed from a Contracting State, he would be exposed to a real risk of
being subjected to a flagrant denial of justice. Where such evidence is
adduced, it is for the Government to dispel any doubts about it (see, mutatis
mutandis, Saadi v. Italy, cited above § 129).
262. Finally, given the facts of the present case, the Court does not
consider it necessary to determine whether a flagrant denial of justice only
arises when the trial in question would have serious consequences for the
applicant. It is common ground in the present case that the sentences which
have already been passed on the applicant in absentia, and to which he
would be exposed on any retrial, are substantial terms of imprisonment.
b. Does the admission of evidence obtained by torture amount to a flagrant
denial of justice?
263. The Court agrees with the Court of Appeal that the central issue in
the present case is the real risk that evidence obtained by torture of third
persons will be admitted at the applicant’s retrial. Accordingly, it is
appropriate to consider at the outset whether the use at trial of evidence
obtained by torture would amount to a flagrant denial of justice. In common
with the Court of Appeal (see paragraph 51 above), the Court considers that
it would.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents