Compensation in Chechen disappearance cases

This article highlights a recent increase in the level of awards of damages in Chechen disappearance cases. On 27 July 2006, the ECtHR found Russia responsible for the 'disappearance' and presumed death of Khadzhi-Murat Yandiyev, a 25-year-old Chechen. Bazorkina v Russia (No. 69481/01) 11/12/06 was a landmark case not only because it was the first Chechen disappearance case to be decided by the ECtHR, but also as it provided a guide as to how much the ECtHR would grant in terms of compensation in similar cases. The €35,000 awarded in non-pecuniary damages to Khadzhi-Murat’s mother became the benchmark for compensation in Chechen disappearance cases for the next few years