The complainant asked the European Central Bank’s (ECB) to grant public access to documents concerning contingency and preparedness measures related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The ECB identified two documents falling under the scope of the request but refused access to both documents. In doing so, it referred to exceptions set out in its rules on public access to documents, arguing that disclosure could undermine an ongoing decision-making process and the financial, monetary or economic policy of the EU.

The Ombudsman found that the ECB’s refusal to grant public access was justified and that it had provided reasonable explanations as to why this was so. She therefore closed the case, finding no maladministration.