European Human Rights Court Condemns Azerbaijan for Violating Lawyer’s Free Speech in Corruption Whistleblowing Case

STRASBOURG, France — In a landmark ruling on Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Azerbaijan guilty of infringing on the freedom of expression of a lawyer who had been disbarred after lodging a corruption complaint against a legal consultancy’s director. This case has drawn widespread attention as it underscores the tension between national law practices and international human rights norms. The legal proceedings centered around Afgan Mammadov, a lawyer who faced disbarment as a repercussion for accusing the director of manipulating lawyer warrants and altering official records, actions that he deemed corrupt. … Read more

European Film Promotion Announces Esteemed Jury for 28th European Shooting Stars at Berlin Film Festival

Berlin, Germany – The European Film Promotion has unveiled the jury for its 28th edition of the European Shooting Stars, a prominent program that spotlights talented actors from across Europe. This initiative, which aligns with the Berlin Film Festival scheduled for February 13-23, aims to elevate emerging European actors on an international stage. This year’s jury comprises an experienced and diverse group of five film industry professionals tasked with selecting 10 actors from a pool of candidates nominated by their respective national film promotion institutes and film centers. These actors will then participate in a … Read more

European Court Strikes Down Russian ‘Foreign Agent’ Law, Citing Violations of Expression and Privacy Rights

STRASBOURG, France — In a significant ruling, the European Court of Human Rights condemned Russia’s legislation that classifies NGOs, media organizations, and individuals as “foreign agents,” finding the laws overly vague and infringing upon freedom of expression and privacy rights. This decision underscored the growing international concern over such regulations that target civil society groups. The case, termed “Kobaliya and Others v. Russia,” involved 107 applicants including NGOs and private individuals, who argued that their designation as ‘foreign agents’ under Russian law hampered their rights to free expression. ARTICLE 19, a group advocating for freedom … Read more

CVC DIF Ventures Into European Data Center Market with Strategic Acquisition in Spain

Madrid, Spain – In a significant move within the digital infrastructure industry, CVC DIF has marked its first foray into the European sector by acquiring a substantial data center portfolio in Spain. The transaction, facilitated by Linklaters, involves assets located in Madrid and Barcelona and is managed through Adam Ecotech, a leading data center operator. This strategic acquisition not only strengthens CVC DIF’s position in the digital infrastructure landscape but also propels Adam Ecotech to new heights by enabling its expansion across Spain and into the broader European data center market. The purchase is vectored … Read more