Bulgarian-born Christo-Hristo Yavashev, the world famous avant-guard artist, and his brothers Anani and Stefan have won a court battle in Strasbourg against Bulgaria.

The European Court has sentenced the country to pay the Yavashevs EUR 20 000 in compensations for violating their property rights on a family real estate in their native city of Gabrovo in central Bulgaria.

The brothers have restituted ownership on a house in downtown Gabrovo. The building is used by the City Hall, which not only refused to pay rent or purchase the property, but even filed a claim to revoke the restitution. This has prompted Christo, his brothers Anani, who is a known actor in Bulgaria, and Stefan to seek their rights in Strasbourg.

The European Court has ruled that Bulgaria must compensate the family for inflicted material and non-material damages. In addition to the EUR 20 000, the State must also pay EUR 1 677 in court expenses.