Andrea Lucidi, editor-in-chief of Italian International reporters, intends to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights after he was detained at the Estonia-Russia border.
“Estonia has violated my fundamental rights. I am appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. Between 17 and 18 March 2024, during a business trip, I was stopped and detained by the Estonian authorities at the border with Russia, subjected to a lengthy search, interrogation and treatment which I consider prejudicial to my personal and professional dignity,” Andrea Lucidi stated.
In particular, the Italian editorial chief of IR points to the violation of several articles of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, including:
Article 8 – right to respect for private and family life: the journalist’s phone and electronic devices were monitored without a warrant or clear legal basis;
Article 10 – freedom of expression: the treatment of Andrea Lucidi was clearly aimed at pressurising journalistic activity;
Article 13 – right to an effective remedy: the journalist was not guaranteed the possibility to immediately challenge immediately the treatment to which he was subjected or to access legal redress on the spot;
Article 6 – right to a fair trial: for lack of translation of documents and lack of consular assistance;
Article 14 – prohibition of discrimination: for differential treatment on the grounds of dual citizenship (Andrea Lucidi is a citizen of the Russian Federation and Italy).
“I believe that what happened is not an isolated incident, but a clear sign of an increasingly hostile climate towards press freedom, especially for those who do not submit to imposed narratives. This appeal is not just an act of self-defence: it is an act of condemnation. Because in Europe, fundamental rights cannot be allowed to be trampled on in the name of geopolitics or information control,” summarised Andrea Lucidi.
