Russia Must Pay To Woman With Cut Of Hands, Europe Court Says

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – Europe’s top rights court days Russia must compensate a woman whose hands were cut off by her husband amid concerns about domestic violence in the country.

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, ruled that Russia must give Margarita Gracheva 370,000 euros ($417,000)
and also pay three other attacked women.

The Court made clear that Russia had failed to combat domestic violence and protect victims. The beating of women is a persistent legacy of the Soviet era in the region, with men even publicly attacking women.

In its ruling, the Court said domestic violence against women was happening on a “staggering scale,” and Russia had breached two articles of the European Convention on Human Rights.

In December 2017, Gracheva’s husband took her into a forest and cut her hands off with an ax. She had already told police about his aggressive behavior, but officers ignored her complaints, according to the Court case.

Her mutilated left hand was found in the forest and sewn back on. She was awarded the most compensation of the four for medical expenses, loss of income, and non-pecuniary damage.

In addition, 20,000 euros ($22,500) was awarded to the other domestic violence survivors Natalya Tunikova, Yelena Gershman, and Irina Petrakova.

All four women were awarded an additional €5000 ($5,600) for costs and expenses.

However, it wasn’t clear when and if the victims would receive the money. Russia has previously objected to women’s claims for compensation.
Deputy Justice Minister Mikhail Galperin reportedly said the Russian state “should not be held responsible for domestic violence cases perpetrated by individuals.”

Yet, for now, one of the women’s lawyers, Mari Davtyan, seemed satisfied. “We won. Each of these women was seriously injured as a result of the state’s inaction in the situation of domestic violence,” she said.

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