BRUSSELS — Slovakia has formally lodged a case against Belgium at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) concerning the detention and subsequent death of Slovak national Jozef Chovanec in 2018.
The ECHR confirmed receipt of the application on Friday, marking the first interstate case between the two nations before the Court.
The case revolves around the events of 23 to 24 February 2018, when Chovanec, 38, was detained at Brussels-Charleroi Airport for allegedly attempting to board a flight without a passport.
Surveillance footage leaked later showed Belgian police officers using aggressive restraint techniques, including sitting on Chovanec for approximately 15 minutes.
The footage also captured two officers appearing to joke around, with one making a Nazi salute. Chovanec was hospitalized shortly after the incident and died on 27 February 2018 in a Charleroi hospital.
The Slovak Government’s ECHR application challenges the use of physical restraint by the Belgian police and questions the adequacy and effectiveness of the subsequent investigation conducted by Belgian authorities.
According to ECHR protocols, Slovakia’s application includes a statement of facts, allegations of human rights violations, and detailed arguments supporting its claims.
Belgium was formally notified of the application by the ECHR on 3 March 2025. The Court has set a 12-week period for any potential third-party interventions in the case.
Slovakia’s decision to pursue interstate proceedings follows years of criticism and protests from Chovanec’s family and Slovak officials over what they deemed a slow and insufficient investigation by Belgian authorities.
In a statement, Slovak officials expressed frustration with the handling of the case in Belgium.
“We have been left with no other option but to seek justice at the European level to ensure accountability and a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding Jozef Chovanec’s death,” a spokesperson for the Slovak government said.
The incident sparked widespread outrage in Slovakia and Belgium after the footage was leaked in 2020.
Calls for justice intensified when the video revealed one officer making a Hitler salute as Chovanec lay motionless on the cell floor. The public outcry led to resignations within the Belgian police force and renewed scrutiny over police conduct and accountability.
Belgium’s Federal Police have maintained that an internal investigation was conducted, but the results did little to quell the backlash.
In 2021, the Belgian Minister of Justice admitted that the handling of the case had been “flawed,” promising a more transparent and thorough review. However, progress has been slow, with no significant legal action taken against the officers involved.
The ECHR has only received 31 interstate applications since its establishment in 1956, highlighting the rarity of Slovakia’s move.
Experts note that interstate cases typically indicate a significant level of dissatisfaction with a member state’s domestic handling of a situation involving human rights violations.
Legal analysts suggest that the ECHR’s examination will likely focus on Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect the right to life and prohibit torture or inhuman treatment.
If the Court finds Belgium in violation, it could lead to significant legal and diplomatic consequences, including potential reparations and a mandate for Belgium to implement changes to its policing practices.
As the case progresses, the ECHR’s review will be closely watched in both Slovakia and Belgium, with the potential to set a precedent for how allegations of excessive force and inadequate investigations are handled across Europe.
