This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33521553

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Russia puts its law above European court rulings Russia puts its law above European court rulings
(about 1 hour later)
Russia can avoid implementing European court judgments if they conflict with the Russian constitution, a top Russian court has ruled.Russia can avoid implementing European court judgments if they conflict with the Russian constitution, a top Russian court has ruled.
Russia is legally bound by the European Convention on Human Rights.Russia is legally bound by the European Convention on Human Rights.
But the Russian constitutional court says Russia "can step back from its obligations" if that is the only way to avoid violating its constitution.But the Russian constitutional court says Russia "can step back from its obligations" if that is the only way to avoid violating its constitution.
Russia objects to a European Court of Human Rights demand that it compensate shareholders in former oil giant Yukos.Russia objects to a European Court of Human Rights demand that it compensate shareholders in former oil giant Yukos.
An ECHR ruling in July 2014 told Russia to pay the shareholders €1.9bn (£1.3bn; $2bn) in compensation. The Council of Europe (CoE), which monitors compliance with the convention and ECHR rulings, voiced concern about the Russian decision.
The ECHR found Russia in breach of the convention's Protocol One, Article One, which covers protection of private property. CoE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland said Russia acknowledged that ECHR rulings were "binding".
"However, the stipulation in today's decision that there may be exceptions to this rule raises several question and concerns. My experts are analysing the decision and I will be taking it up with the highest Russian authorities," he said in a statement to the BBC.
The Russian court ruling on Tuesday said ECHR judgments did "not override the pre-eminence of the constitution in the Russian legal system".The Russian court ruling on Tuesday said ECHR judgments did "not override the pre-eminence of the constitution in the Russian legal system".
An ECHR ruling in July 2014 told Russia to pay the Yukos shareholders €1.9bn (£1.3bn; $2bn) in compensation.
The ECHR found Russia in breach of the convention's Protocol One, Article One, which covers protection of private property.