The European Court of Human Right (ECHR) has ordered the Russian government to pay 1.2 million euros ($1.6 million) to 13 Chechens whose 18 relatives were killed during an artillery bombardment.

The ECHR, in its ruling on the artillery bombardment that took place in Chenchen village in February 2000, also said the residents of the village of Aslanbek-Sheripovo had received assurances from the Russian Army that there would be no strike on the village as long as no armed fighters were present.

ECHR however pointed out that the case represents the first time that the Russian government had acknowledged a violation of Article 2 of the European Convention.