Andorra Court Awards €28,000 to Man Unlawfully Detained 103 Days on Drug Charges
Superior Court grants €23,000 for moral damages and €4,968 for lost wages after Constitutional Court ruled detention violated his right to liberty, rejecting lower state offers.
Key Points
- Andorra Superior Court awards €28,000 to man for 103 days unlawful pre-trial detention on drug charges.
- €23,000 for moral damages, €4,968 for lost wages; rejects lower state offers.
- Constitutional Court ruled detention violated right to liberty on July 14.
- Detention began Oct 16, 2024; release requests denied until court overturn.
Andorra's Superior Court has awarded €28,000 to a man unlawfully held in pre-trial detention for 103 days on drug trafficking charges, with €23,000 allocated for moral damages and €4,968 for economic losses from missed work.
The individual entered provisional imprisonment on 16 October 2024, accused of major cocaine trafficking, public drug consumption, and a minor consumption offence. His lawyers requested release on 18 March 2025, but the Batllia and Tribunal de Corts rejected it. On 3 April, the Tribunal de Corts upheld the detention, citing risks to the ongoing investigation and a parallel probe into drug trafficking at a nightlife venue.
The Constitutional Court overturned this on 14 July, ruling the justification legally inadequate and a breach of the man's right to liberty. It confirmed his eligibility for compensation. The Superior Court's full bench then set the amount, rejecting lower proposals from the government (€7,543) and prosecutors (€2,000). The decision drew on precedents noting that such detentions inherently cause psychological harm—such as anxiety, frustration, and family separation—without needing specific proof. It also emphasised that incriminating evidence or potential penalties do not negate the rights violation.
The state must cover the full payment. Recent reporting from Diari d'Andorra matches these details, including the timeline and breakdown, with no discrepancies. The case highlights that provisional detention requires strict legal grounding, regardless of underlying suspicions.
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