CEDH · PRESS;GENERAL;ENG — 26 janvier 1999

.s800EAC49 { font-size:12pt } .sFE10DC93 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center } .s29100277 { font-family:Arial; font-weight:bold } .sA1D3DA2E { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify } .s94935B0F { width:389.85pt; display:inline-block } .sBB9EE52A { font-family:Arial } .s23A41E03 { width:36pt; display:inline-block } .s4DDA3AA3 { font-family:Arial; font-weight:bold; font-style:italic } .s76CF415B { page-break-before:always; clear:both } .s32563E28 { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt } .sD35C6159 { width:1.54pt; display:inline-block } .s4598CDF { width:70.9pt; display:inline-block } .s38DD6A04 { width:18.2pt; display:inline-block } EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS     44   26.1.1999   Press release issued by the Registrar   HEARING IN THE CASE OF SERIF v. GREECE   Tuesday 26 January 1999 at 9.00 a.m.     The European Court of Human Rights (Second Section) is holding a public hearing today on the admissibility and the merits of the application lodged in the case of Serif v. Greece (application no. 38178/97).   The applicant     The case concerns an application brought by Mr Ibraim Serif, a Greek national, who was born in 1951 and lives in Komotini.   Summary of the facts     Although Greek law provided for the election of the Muslim religious leaders, the muftis, by the members of the minority in Thrace, when the mufti of Rodopi died the President of the Republic, following standard practice, proceeded to the appointment of a replacement without any elections.   When two independent Muslim Members of Parliament requested the State to organise elections, as it was in their view obliged to do under the 1913 Treaty of Athens between Greece and others and the Ottoman Empire, the law was changed so as to provide for the appointment of the Muftis by the President of the Republic.   In December 1990 a number of Muslims attending Friday prayers proclaimed the applicant as the Mufti of Rodopi.   The applicant was subsequently convicted of usurping the functions of a minister of a “known religion” and of publicly wearing the robes of such a minister without being entitled to do so.   His conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.   Complaints     The applicant complains that his right to a fair trial guaranteed under Article 6 § 1 of the Convention as well as his rights to freedom of religion and expression guaranteed under Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights have been breached.   Procedure     The application was lodged with the European Commission of Human Rights on 29 September 1997.   By virtue of Article 5 § 2 of Protocol No. 11 to the Convention it was transmitted to the European Court of Human Rights on the entry into force of that Protocol.   The case will be heard by a Chamber composed as follows:   Marc Fischbach   (Luxemburger), President Christos Rozakis   (Greek, Benedetto Conforti   (Italian), Peer Lorenzen   (Danish), Margarita Tsatsa-Nikolovska   (FYROMacedonia), András Baka   (Hungarian), Egils Levits   (Latvian), Judges , Giovanni Bonello   (Maltese), Viera Strážnická   (Slovakian), Substitute Judges ,   and also Erik Fribergh , Section Registrar .     Representatives of the parties   Government:   Georgios Kanellopoulos , Acting Agent   Maria Telalian ,   Vassilios Kyriazopoulos , advisers ;   Applicant:   Sempahedin Emin,   Tekin Akillioglu , counsel .     Ibraim Serif will also attend the hearing.     After the hearing the Court will begin its deliberations, which are held in private.     Subject to his duty of discretion, the Registrar is responsible under the Rules of Court for replying to requests for information concerning the work of the Court, and in particular to enquiries from the press.   Registry of the European Court of Human Rights F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex Contact: Roderick Liddell Telephone: (0)3 88 41 24 92; fax: (0)3 88 41 27 91