The complainants from the North Caucasus Republic of Chechnya, which suffered two devastating separatist wars in the 1990s-early 2000s, appealed to the Strasbourg-based court alleging their relatives had disappeared after being detained by Russian troops.
It is claimed that the Russian government failed to adequately investigate the disappearances at the time. Dissatisfied with the Russian court system, the claimants brought their cases before the European Court.
After looking into the complaints, the court found that Russia had breached a number of articles under the European Convention on Human Rights, including the right to life and effective investigation, and articles on torture, inhumane conduct, and the right to freedom.
The court ruled Russia should pay 234,000 euros to the claimants and 18,650 euros in court costs. The ruling comes into effect in three months if neither side appeals.
Around 20% of all complaints made to the Court in the past decade have involved Russia.
