4.  The applicant was born in 1958 and lives in Balassagyarmat. 5.  On 26 April 1997 criminal proceedings were instituted against the applicant and eighteen other defendants for fraud. A ban on travel was also imposed on him until 2003. 6.  On 27 January 2003 the Budapest Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office preferred a bill of indictment against the applicant before the Pest Central District Court. From February 2007 onwards the District Court held one hundred and nine hearings and heard one hundred and one witnesses and eleven experts. 7.  On 14 November 2007 the District Court gave judgment, acquitting the applicant. The applicant and his counsel took note of the decision, therefore it became final the same day. 8.  On 17 January 2008 a written copy of the judgment was served on the applicant.