Macedonian Government Found Guilty of Secret Rendition Operation

In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Human Rights has found that the government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was complicit in a secret rendition operation that involved the kidnapping and mistreatment of a German national.

A Harrowing Ordeal

Khaled El-Masri, a 49-year-old German citizen, had been on vacation in Skopje when he was detained by Macedonian authorities in December 2003. He was held incommunicado for four months and subjected to physical and psychological abuse during his detention.

Violation of Human Rights

The Court found that El-Masri’s rights under Articles 3 (prohibition of torture), 5 (right to liberty and security), 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and 13 (right to an effective remedy) of the European Convention on Human Rights were violated by the Macedonian government.

The Secret Rendition Operation

According to the Court’s judgment, El-Masri was arrested by Macedonian authorities at a border crossing and taken to a hotel in Skopje, where he was held in a room with nine men who watched him 24/7. He was repeatedly interrogated and threatened with violence if he did not cooperate.

CIA Involvement

The Court found that the Macedonian government’s actions were part of a secret rendition operation orchestrated by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). El-Masri was eventually transferred to Skopje Airport, where he was handed over to CIA agents who took him to Afghanistan for further interrogation and detention.

Reaction from El-Masri’s Lawyer

“This is a major victory for human rights,” said El-Masri’s lawyer. “The Macedonian government has been held accountable for its role in this illegal rendition operation, and we hope that this ruling will serve as a deterrent against similar abuses in the future.”

Significance of the Judgment

The judgment is seen as a significant blow to the Macedonian government’s claims of innocence and highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in its dealings with international intelligence agencies.

Compensation and Reforms

The Court has ordered the Macedonian government to pay El-Masri compensation for his suffering and to take measures to prevent such human rights violations from occurring in the future.