FIRST SECTION
DECISION
Application no. 16338/05
Igor Mikhaylovich NOVIKOV
against Russia
The European Court of Human Rights (First Section), sitting on 10 January 2012 as a Chamber composed of:
	Nina Vajić, President,
	Anatoly Kovler,
	Elisabeth Steiner,
	Mirjana Lazarova Trajkovska,
	Julia Laffranque,
	Linos-Alexandre Sicilianos,
	Erik Møse, judges,
and Søren Nielsen, Section Registrar,
Having regard to the above application lodged on 17 April 2005,
Having deliberated, decides as follows:
THE FACTS
The applicant, Mr Igor Mikhaylovich Novikov, is a Russian national who was born on 21 August 1972 and lives in Moscow. His application was lodged with the Court on 17 April 2005. The Russian Government (“the Government”) were represented by Mr G. Matyushkin, the Representative of the Russian Federation at the European Court of Human Rights.
The applicant complained under Articles 6 § 1 and 13 of the Convention about unreasonable length of criminal proceedings against him.
On 5 May 2010, the Court communicated the applicant’s complaints to the respondent Government under Rule 54 § 2 (b) of the Rules of Court. The Government submitted their observations on the admissibility and merits of the case on 15 September 2010.
By letter of 27 September 2010, the applicant was invited to submit, by 29 November 2010, his comments on the Government’s observations, together with any claims for just satisfaction. No reply was received to the Court’s letter.
In view of the absence of the applicant’s reply, by letter of 31 January 2011, sent by registered mail, the applicant was informed that the time-limit for submission of his observations or claims for just satisfaction had expired on 29 November 2010, and that no extension of time had been requested. No response followed.
THE LAW
The Court considers that, in these circumstances, the applicant may be regarded as no longer wishing to pursue his application, within the meaning of Article 37 § 1 (a) of the Convention. Furthermore, in accordance with Article 37 § 1 in fine, the Court finds no special circumstances regarding respect for human rights as defined in the Convention and its Protocols which require the continued examination of the case.
In view of the above, it is appropriate to strike the case out of the list.
For these reasons, the Court unanimously
Decides to strike the application out of its list of cases.
	Søren Nielsen	Nina Vajić
	Registrar	President