European Court of Human Rights rejects arrested student’s request for interim measure

Jovicic was arrested on August 15 during a protest in Novi Sad on suspicion of vandalizing ruling party offices. He was initially ordered into detention for 30 days but that was extended and he went on hunger strike. He was also taken to his father’s funeral in leg shackles, prompting outrage among the public.

The European Court of Human Rights rejected the request to be transferred to a medical facility or placed under house arrest. It ruled that the request fell out of the scope of application of Rule 39 of the Rules of Court because it does not involve a risk of serious and irreparable harm of a core right under the European Convention on Human Rights.

“Bearing in mind that the Court applies Rule 39 only where an applicant faces an imminent risk of irreparable harm to a Convention right, the Court has decided not to grant the interim measure requested. In deciding on the request for an interim measure, the Court did not have to consider the justification for Mr Jovičić’s detention, nor was it required to determine whether the conditions of his detention were compliant with the Convention,” a press release said.