Murat Silgir v Germany: Strasbourg examines EncroChat evidence and confidential lawyer contact
In Silgir v Germany (No. 2), application 22234/25, the European Court of Human Rights raises questions about EncroChat evidence, privacy and a fair trial. Murat Silgir also challenges monitoring of his lawyer correspondence. The published questions are a procedural step, not a finding that his rights were violated.
Bremen Regional Court sentenced Murat Silgir on 27 July 2021 to twelve years and six months for 26 instances of drug trafficking as a gang member. The conviction relied mainly on EncroChat messages. The Federal Court of Justice rejected his appeal on points of law on 7 December 2022; the Federal Constitutional Court declined to admit his constitutional complaint on 28 April 2025.
Silgir subsequently applied to Strasbourg. His application was communicated to Germany on 31 October 2025; the Court published its questions on 17 November 2025. He alleges that private communications were unlawfully obtained and technical details of the data capture were withheld from him.
Under Article 8, the Court asks whether German use of the data amounted to a lawful and necessary interference with his privacy. Under Article 6, it asks whether the trial was fair and whether he could examine the authenticity and quality of the electronic evidence. Another question addresses confidential lawyer contact: according to the case document, lawyer correspondence was also opened during pre-trial detention and forwarded to prosecutors.
Doughty Street Chambers reported on 3 September 2026 that observations had been submitted on behalf of Fair Trials.
