site.btaECHR Rules in Favor of MEP Elena Yoncheva in Presumption of Innocence Case

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg ruled Tuesday in favour of MEP (Renew Europe) Elena Yoncheva in a case concerning the violation of the presumption of innocence.

The Court found breaches of the presumption of innocence and the right to effective compensation under the European Convention on Human Rights. It ordered that Yoncheva be awarded EUR 4,700 for non-material damages and EUR 3,000 for legal expenses.

The case was launched following a press release by the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office on January 23, 2019, which alleged that Elena Yoncheva, in her capacity as a journalist, had laundered EUR 333,000 between June 13, 2012, and November 6, 2014. Yoncheva argued that the press release violated her right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. She claimed there were no available domestic legal remedies to address this violation and that the prosecutor's actions were intended to harm her reputation and credibility, thereby undermining her work as a journalist and opposition MP. At that time Yoncheva was a MP of Bulgarian Socialist Party.

Yoncheva requested EUR 25,000 in compensation through the ECHR, but the Bulgarian authorities argued that her claim was unfounded. According to the ruling, Bulgaria has been ordered to pay the awarded compensation within three months, with interest applied in case of delay.