European Human Rights court to examine convicted rapper’s case

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (ECHR) has communicated to the defense team for Josep Miquel Arenas, a.k.a. rapper Valtònyc, that it will examine the musician’s case, according to his lawyer Gonzalo Boye.

Court sources have not yet confirmed the pledge to study the case, but they have stated that the body beginning to examine the case does not mean that it’s officially been admitted for consideration.

The musician presented his case to the European court in October, alleging that Spain had violated his right to freedom of expression by sentencing him to three and a half years in prison for song lyrics, convicted of the charges of glorification of terrorism, slander against the crown and threats.

Arenas is currently residing in Belgium, where he is facing extradition back to Spain. The court in Ghent originally rejected his extradition arguing the case dealt with freedom of speech in September, with the prosecutor announcing an appeal. Originally scheduled for November, the final decision was postponed.