The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Italy violated the rights of Fabio Cramesteter, a man who was subjected to nearly a decade of compulsory psychiatric detention [3185ab80]. Cramesteter was initially convicted in 2003 on charges of weapons possession and theft but was acquitted by reason of insanity [3185ab80]. He was then transferred to a forensic psychiatric hospital and remained in psychiatric detention until 2016 [3185ab80]. Italy's OPGs, which were mental institutions for individuals acquitted by reason of insanity, were excluded from deinstitutionalization reforms [3185ab80]. In 2014, Italy ordered the closure of all OPGs and made it illegal to hold anyone acquitted by reason of insanity in psychiatric detention for longer than they would have faced in jail if convicted [3185ab80]. However, Cramesteter was not released until May 2016 [3185ab80].
The ECHR found that Italy violated Cramesteter's rights to liberty and security [3185ab80]. As a result, Italy has been ordered to pay Cramesteter €8,000 ($8,662) in damages [3185ab80]. This ruling underscores the importance of respecting the rights of individuals in psychiatric detention and ensuring that their rights to liberty and security are upheld [3185ab80].
This case highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding the treatment of individuals with mental health issues within the criminal justice system and the need for comprehensive reforms to protect their rights and well-being [3185ab80].
In a separate development, Raffaele Mincione, a defendant in the Vatican's financial trial, has filed a complaint with the United Nations accusing Pope Francis of violating his human rights by authorizing wide-ranging surveillance during the investigation [c2d42046]. The trial, which focused on the Holy See's investment in a London property, ended in December with convictions for nine of the ten defendants, including Mincione [c2d42046]. Mincione's complaint to the UN highlighted the role of the pope during the investigation and cited secret executive decrees signed by Francis that gave Vatican prosecutors extensive powers to investigate [c2d42046]. The complaint also alleged that the tribunal is not independent or impartial [c2d42046]. It is unclear what action the UN will take in response to the complaint [c2d42046]. Mincione has also sued the Vatican secretariat of state in a British court over reputational harm resulting from the trial [c2d42046] [c2d42046].