The case concerned the applicants' conviction for fraud against the State Treasury after an appeal hearing, the applicants having been acquitted at first instance. The Court observed that the Valencia Audiencia Provincial had held a public hearing and allowed the applicants to intervene if they so wished. No lack of due diligence could therefore be imputed to that court as far as concerned respect for the applicants' right to a fair trial. The applicants themselves had waived their right to speak during the hearing before the Audiencia Provincial. The European Court of Human Rights held, unanimously, that there had been no violation of Article 6 § 1 (right to a fair trial) of the European Convention on Human Rights.