Shirvan Court Hears Lawsuits Against the Ministry of Emergency Situations

On 14 and 15 May, the Shirvan Administrative-Economic Court heard the claims of 116 people affected by flooding of the Kura River in May and June 2010. The defendants were the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) and the state-run Irrigation and Water Management Company.

The Board chaired by Judge Elkhan Amiraliyev broke the complaints into groups for practical consideration. Hearings were held with a representative of the MES, but ignored the reclamation claims.

According to Kura Oktay Gyulaliyev, the coordinator of staff of the civil society, the basic claims of the citizens were about the state examination of the buildings after the flood, as well as putting housing into operation.

"The plaintiffs demanded the creation of a special commission for an independent assessment of the buildings. The claims were attached documentary evidence (video and photo frames) of uninhabitable housing. However, the judge Elkhan Amiraliyev rejected the application on the plaintiffs," said the human rights activist.

Claims by two complainants were satisfied. In one case, MOE agreed that poor quality construction had occurred and pledged to rebuild the house.

On another lawsuit, they decided to allocate compensation for restoration and fortification works. The hearing will continue on May 27.  -017B-