been kept in a cell measuring 6.2 square metres which housed up to 5 inmates. The remaining description of the conditions of his detention in the unit did not vary. In particular, the applicant argued that inmates had taken turns to sleep owing to the shortage of sleeping places. No bedding was provided. The cell had a window thirty centimetres wide and forty centimetres long. The cell was lit by a small bulb. In the absence of artificial ventilation in the cell it was hard to breathe owing to the thick smoke and the humidity. The cell was swarming with insects. There was no heating in winter. There was no lavatory pan or wash-bowl. Inmates used a bucket as a lavatory pan. They were allowed to clean the bucket twice a day: early in the morning and at about 6 p.m. There was no shower room in the detention unit. Inmates were provided with food once a day. In addition, in the morning they were given hot water and in the evening sweet tea. The detention unit did not have a recreation yard and inmates were therefore confined to their cells day and night.
2. Proceedings seeking compensation for damage
21. On 24 June 2003 the applicant brought an action in tort against the management of the Neman town detention unit and the Kaliningrad Regional Department of the Federal Treasury. He claimed that the conditions of his detention in the unit had been inhuman and had led to a serious deterioration of his health. He also sought leave to appear before the Town Court.
22. On 20 August 2003 the Neman Town Court ordered that the applicant should be brought to the hearing fixed for 4 September 2003, finding that "it was necessary to hear him in person as the plaintiff".
23. According to the Government, the management of the correctional colony where the applicant was detained at the material time refused to comply with the order of 20 August 2003 because domestic law did not lay down a procedure for transferring convicted prisoners to ensure their participation in civil cases. The management informed the applicant that domestic law did not oblige the authorities to ensure his presence at the hearing.
24. On 3 October 2003 the applicant received a letter from the Neman Town Court. He was informed that a hearing was listed for 24 September 2003 and that it would be held in his absence because the colony management had not brought him to the Neman Town Court.
25. On 29 December 2003 the Neman Town Court ordered a forensic medical examination of the applicant. On completion of the examination, on 12 March 2004, the applicant was served with a copy of the expert report and informed that the hearing had been fixed for 18 March 2004.
26. On 6 April 2004 the Neman Town Court partly allowed the applicant's action and awarded him 1,500 Russian roubles (RUB, approximately 43 euros) in compensation for non-pecuniary damage. The Town Court held, in so far as relevant, as follows:
"[The applicant's] argument that his right to the established norm of four square metres of personal space was violated has been amply proven.
The... witnesses confirmed that the detention unit has four cells... Cells Nos. 1 and 2 each measure 6 sq. m, cell No. 4 measures 9.8 sq. m and cell No. 3 measures 10.3 sq. m. [The applicant] was detained in cell No. 4: from 20 to 24 August 2001 6 to 7 inmates were detained there, from 3 to 13 September 2001 5 to 7 detainees; from 27 September to 14 October 2001 4 to 6 inmates; from 13 to 18 November 4 to 5 inmates; and from 22 March to 4 April 2002 seven individuals were kept [in that cell]. From May 2002 onwards [the applicant] was detained alone in cells Nos. 2 and 3. The registration log, listing the number of persons detained in the unit in specific cells, fully corroborates this account.
[The applicant's] allegation concerning insufficient lighting was confirmed. The single small window, which is sit
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