The European Court of Human Rights has ruled in favor of former Albanian judge Ervin Metalla, finding that his dismissal from office during the country’s judicial vetting process violated his rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, journalist Anila Hoxha of Top Channel reports.

The ruling concerns Metalla’s removal as a judge of the Tirana Court of Appeal, a decision upheld seven years ago by Albania’s Special Appeals Chamber, which had confirmed an earlier ruling by the Independent Qualification Commission.

“The Court has found a violation of Article 8 because the applicant’s dismissal was not shown to be proportionate to the legitimate aims pursued,” the judgment states. Article 8 guarantees the right to respect for private and family life and allows interference by public authorities only when it is lawful and necessary in a democratic society.

In its decision, published on May 5, 2026, the Court indicated that, should the applicant request it, reopening the vetting proceedings and re-examining the case in line with Article 8 standards would be appropriate.

Regarding compensation, the Court awarded:

• €20,400 for pecuniary damage
• €6,000 for non-pecuniary damage
• €6,000 for legal costs and expenses

The judgment was unanimous and obliges the Albanian state to execute the payments within three months. The remainder of the applicant’s claims was dismissed.

Metalla was dismissed in July 2018 by the Independent Qualification Commission, which identified issues related to his financial assets. According to the Commission, he had signed fictitious contracts and benefited from a soft loan for which he did not meet the legal criteria, describing the conduct as “unethical for a judge.”

Previously, former judge Antoneta Sevdari also won a case in Strasbourg seeking reinstatement.