Enforcement of sentences imposed

Austria

Austria - Agreement ICC on the Enforcement of Sentences 2005

Article 4
Enforcement
1. Subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, the sentence of imprisonment shall be binding on Austria, which shall in no case modify it.

Article 4
Enforcement

2. The enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment shall be subject to the supervision of the Court and shall be consistent with widely accepted international treaty standards governing treatment of prisoners.

Article 14
Termination of enforcement
1. The enforcement of the sentence shall cease:
(a) when the Court’s sentence has been completed;
(b) upon the demise of the sentenced person;
(c) following a decision of the Court to transfer the sentenced person to another State in accordance with the Rome Statute and the Rules;
(d) upon release following proceedings under Article 11.
2. The competent national authorities of Austria shall terminate the enforcement of the sentence as soon as they are informed by the Court of any decision or measure as a result of which the sentence ceases to be enforceable.

Austria - Extradition and Mutual Assistance (EN/DE) 1979 (2020)

TITLE V
Taking Over the Prosecution of a Case and Surveillance; Execution of Foreign Criminal-Court Decisions

CHAPTER THREE
Execution of Foreign Criminal-Court Decisions

Prerequisites
§ 64. (1) The execution or further execution of a decision by a foreign court imposing a fine or custodial sentence, a preventive measure involving deprivation of liberty or property-law order with final and enforceable effect shall be admissible upon a request by another State if:
1. the decision of the foreign court was taken in proceedings complying with the principles set forth in Article 6 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Federal Law Gazette No. 210/1958,
2. the decision was taken for an act that is sanctioned by a court punishment under Austrian law,
3. the decision was not taken for one of the punishable acts listed in § 14 and § 15,
4. under Austrian law no statute of limitation applies to the execution,

TITLE V
Taking Over the Prosecution of a Case and Surveillance; Execution of Foreign Criminal-Court Decisions

CHAPTER THREE
Execution of Foreign Criminal-Court Decisions

Prerequisites
§ 64. (2) The execution of a decision by a foreign court imposing a custodial sentence or preventive measure involving deprivation of liberty shall only be admissible if the convicted person is an Austrian citizen, has his/her domicile or place of residence in Austria and has agreed to the execution in Austria.

TITLE V
Taking Over the Prosecution of a Case and Surveillance; Execution of Foreign Criminal-Court Decisions

CHAPTER THREE
Execution of Foreign Criminal-Court Decisions

Prerequisites
§ 64. (4) The execution of a decision by a foreign court issuing property-law orders shall only be admissible if the decision complies with the prerequisites for fines or orders relating to property rights under Austrian law and a comparable domestic order has not yet been issued in Austria.

Austria - Federal Law on Cooperation with the ICC (EN) 2002

Part 1
General Provisions

2. The principle of cooperation
1. All organs of the Federal State, in particular the courts, public prosecutors, custodial authorities and security authorities, have an obligation to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court.
2. The obligation in paragraph 1 above shall consist in particular, pursuant to this federal law and in accordance with the Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the International Criminal Court, in granting the Court access to information and documents concerning suspected crimes falling within its jurisdiction, providing it with judicial assistance, surrendering accused persons, accepting sentenced persons for the enforcement of sentences, and enforcing fines and forfeitures.

Part 1
General Provisions

7. Surrender of Austrian nationals
(Constitutional provision) Nothing precludes the surrender of Austrian nationals to the International Criminal Court (paragraphs 24 to 28 below) or their transit or transport (paragraph 31 below) or surrender to another State for the enforcement of a sentence passed by the International Criminal Court.

Part 2
Specific provisions

Section 5

32. Enforcement of sentences of imprisonment
General provisions

1. Through a statement addressed to the International Criminal Court, the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs may, with the consent of the Federal Minister of Justice, state Austria’s willingness to accept sentenced persons for the enforcement of sentences of imprisonment passed by the International Criminal Court. The statement may set a limit on the time for transfer for enforcement and on the number and kind of sentenced persons.
2. The sentences of imprisonment passed by the International Criminal Court shall be enforced directly. Sentences passed by the International Criminal Court may not be modified. In the light of instructions from the International Criminal Court, enforcement shall be subject to the relevant provisions of Austrian law on the understanding that the conditions of detention correspond to those under which persons convicted of similar crimes are held in Austria.
3. The enforcement of sentences of imprisonment passed by the International Criminal Court shall be subject to the supervision of the Court. At the request of the International Criminal Court, its members shall be granted access to prisons.
4. Should a person serving a sentence of imprisonment imposed by the International Criminal Court in Austria be eligible under Austrian law for more lenient treatment involving unguarded work outside the prison, the International Criminal Court shall be informed thereof before such work is allowed. Its opinion shall be taken into consideration in the decision.
5. Sentenced persons within the meaning of this section are to be granted unimpeded and confidential written communication with the International Criminal Court.

33. Procedure for the acceptance of enforcement of sentences

1. Should the International Criminal Court decide that a convicted person shall serve his or her sentence of imprisonment in Austria and seek the transfer of the convicted person for the enforcement of his/her sentence, it should address itself to the Federal Minister of Justice.
2. The Federal Minister of Justice may only refuse to accept a person for the enforcement of his or her sentence, which as stated complies with paragraph 32(1) above, if it would give rise to unacceptable consequences for the security and public order of the Republic of Austria. Enforcement of the sentences of Austrian nationals may not be refused. The decision of the Federal Minister of Justice is not open to appeal.
3. The decision by the Federal Minister of Justice shall be transmitted to the International Criminal Court with a request to suggest a time and place for the transfer of the sentenced person to the Austrian authorities.
4. Should the sentenced person escape from prison before the expiry of the sentence, the court of enforcement (paragraph 16 of the law on enforcement of sentences) shall issue a warrant of arrest and initiate a search. Should the person sought subsequently be arrested abroad, the court shall, even without an application from the public prosecutor, seek extradition custody pursuant to paragraph 69 of the law on extradition (ARHG) and transmit the documents required under paragraph 68 of the said law to the Federal Minister of Justice. The Federal Minister of Justice shall seek extradition if the requested State does not approve surrender without an extradition procedure, and the International Criminal Court has not decided otherwise.
5. The time spent in custody in the requested State or at the International Criminal Court shall be deducted from the sentence to be served.
6. Should persons who have escaped while serving a sentence passed by the International Criminal Court be arrested in Austria, they shall be surrendered to the State ensuring the enforcement of their sentence according to the provisions which apply for the surrender of persons to the International Criminal Court.

34. Speciality of enforcement

1. A convicted person transferred to Austria for the enforcement of a sentence passed by the International Criminal Court may not be prosecuted, punished, detained or extradited to a third country on account of an act engaged in prior to the said transfer, which was not part of the judgement of the International Criminal Court, without its consent.
2. The speciality of enforcement shall not preclude such a measure if:
(1) following release, the person did not leave the territory of the Republic of Austria within 30 days, even though he or she was able and free to do so;
(2) the person leaves the territory of the Republic of Austria, by whatever means, and returns voluntarily, or is returned legally from a third country; or
(3) the International Criminal Court forgoes applying the rule of speciality.

35. Reports about enforcement

At least once a year, and on completion of the sentence, the prison at which the convicted person is serving the sentence of imprisonment passed by the International Criminal Court shall submit a conduct and health report to the Federal Ministry of Justice. The Federal Ministry of Justice is to be notified at once if the convicted person escapes before the expiry of the sentence or if enforcement is no longer possible for other reasons. The International Criminal Court shall promptly be acquainted with such reports.

36. Conditional release and pardon

1. (Constitutional provision) Decisions regarding the conditional release, pardon or reduction of sentence of a person sentenced by the International Criminal Court shall be taken by the International Criminal Court.
2. Should the convicted person make an application for conditional release, pardon or a reduction of sentence, it shall be submitted to the Federal Ministry of Justice for forwarding to the International Criminal Court.
3. The International Criminal Court should be informed ex-officio of any circumstances which are favourable for conditional release, pardon or a reduction of sentence.

37. Transfer of enforcement of sentences to another State

1. Any request from the International Criminal Court for the surrender of the sentenced person to another State for the continuation of the enforcement of a sentence shall be promptly complied with.
2. Should a sentenced person ask to serve his or her sentence of imprisonment in another State, the request should be forwarded to the International Criminal Court.

38. Termination of sentences of imprisonment

1. Should the International Criminal Court indicate that the enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment should be terminated, the sentenced person shall be released promptly, or be transferred to the authority responsible for the enforcement of foreign orders, unless Austrian criminal proceedings or extradition proceedings are underway, or grounds exist to initiate such proceedings.
2. Prosecution, punishment or extradition on account of an act engaged in prior to the acceptance of the enforcement of sentences may only proceed consistent with paragraph 34 above.

39. Costs

1. The ordinary costs of enforcement of sentences shall be borne by Austria.
2. Other costs, including the cost of surrender of the sentenced person from or to the Court or from one State of enforcement to another and the cost of expert opinions or reports requested by the International Criminal Court shall be borne by the International Criminal Court.

40. Enforcement of sentences of imprisonment for offences against the administration of justice

Having regard to the enforcement of sentences of imprisonment imposed by the International Criminal Court for offences against the administration of justice pursuant to article 70 of the Statute, this federal law, with the exception of the provisions in paragraphs 32(1) and (5), 33(1) to (5), and 39 above, shall not apply. The procedure shall comply with paragraphs 65 to 67 of the law on extradition and judicial assistance (ARHG).

Section 6

41. Acceptance of enforcement of fines and forfeiture measures

1. The competent court shall comply with requests from the International Criminal Court for the enforcement of orders involving fines or forfeiture measures if it appears likely that the fine can be collected in Austria or if the objects or assets referred to in 15 the order are to be found in Austria. Prior to approving such enforcement, the person ordered to pay the fine and persons claiming rights to the objects or assets shall be heard. The sentenced person need not be heard where he or she cannot be reached.
2. The decision on a request for enforcement of a fine shall be taken by the Court of First Instance as referred to in paragraph 26(1) of the law on extradition and judicial assistance (ARHG); the decision concerning a request for a forfeiture measure shall however be taken by the Court of First Instance of the district in which the asset or object is to be found, in each case by a panel of three judges (paragraph 13(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure) by way of a court decision. The fine or forfeiture measure ordered by the International Criminal Court may not be modified. The court decision may be appealed against by the public prosecutor or the person concerned within 14 days before the Court of Appeal.
3. A fine ordered by the International Criminal Court shall be enforced in euros. The official exchange rate as of the day of the International Criminal Court’s order shall be used should the amount of the fine to be enforced be stated in a currency other than euros.
4. Any payment facilities granted by the International Criminal Court in respect of the date of payment of fines or their payment in instalments shall be taken into consideration.
5. Should the enforcement of a fine imposed by the International Criminal Court prove to be partly or wholly impossible, the International Criminal Court shall be informed thereof.
6. If the International Criminal Court cannot collect a fine but instead sentences the convicted person to imprisonment and requests Austria to enforce the sentence, the provisions in paragraphs 32 to 39 above shall apply.
7. Should the enforcement of a forfeiture measure ordered by the International Criminal Court prove impossible, measures shall be taken in accordance with paragraph 19(1) to (4) of the relevant law on financial measures (FinStrG) with a view to collecting amounts corresponding to the value of the assets or objects to be seized.
8. The proceeds from the enforcement of fines and forfeiture measures are to be transferred to the International Criminal Court, subject to the provision in paragraph 9 below.
9. Fines, objects and other assets may be retained in the Republic of Austria if:
(1) the injured person resides or usually lives in Austria and they are to be granted to him or her;
(2) an authority files a claim to them;
(3) a person not involved in the criminal offence claims rights thereto;
(4) they are required for legal proceedings in Austria.
10. Should a person file a claim pursuant to paragraph 9 above, any consideration as to whether to grant the money or assets requires the consent of the International Criminal Court.
11. The provisions of this section shall also apply to the enforcement of fines ordered by the International Criminal Court for offences against the administration of justice pursuant to article 70 of the Statute.

42. Acceptance of enforcement of reparation orders

1. A request from the International Criminal Court for the enforcement of a binding order by the Court for reparations in the form of money shall be admissible if it is likely that it can be collected in Austria.
2. Enforcement shall comply with paragraph 41 above.
3. Enforceable orders of the International Criminal Court for the return of property or proceeds from criminal offences shall be regarded as determinations by foreign courts which fulfil the conditions in paragraph 79(2) of the execution order.

Section 7

43. Effect of the orders of the International Criminal Court

(Constitutional provision) Where evidence is taken in respect of reparations for victims in proceedings before the Austrian courts from a sentenced person, an enforceable judgement of the International Criminal Court shall represent sufficient evidence of the determinations made. Proof of the inaccuracy of determinations shall be admissible.

Section 8

44. Accepting to prosecute offences against the administration of justice

1. At the request of the International Criminal Court, the offences listed in article 70 (1) of the Statute may be prosecuted in Austria where they have been committed on Austrian territory or by Austrian nationals.
2. In judging such offences, the International Criminal Court shall be regarded as if it were an Austrian court and its officials as if they were Austrian officials.
3. Paragraph 60 of the law on extradition and judicial assistance (ARHG) shall be applied with the understanding that references therein to the requesting State relate to the International Criminal Court.

Rome Statute

Article 103 Role of States in enforcement of sentences of imprisonment

1.

(a) A sentence of imprisonment shall be served in a State designated by the Court from a list of States which have indicated to the Court their willingness to accept sentenced persons.

(b) At the time of declaring its willingness to accept sentenced persons, a State may attach conditions to its acceptance as agreed by the Court and in accordance with this Part.

(c) A State designated in a particular case shall promptly inform the Court whether it accepts the Court's designation.

2.

(a) The State of enforcement shall notify the Court of any circumstances, including the exercise of any conditions agreed under paragraph 1, which could materially affect the terms or extent of the imprisonment. The Court shall be given at least 45 days' notice of any such known or foreseeable circumstances. During this period, the State of enforcement shall take no action that might prejudice its obligations under article 110.

(b) Where the Court cannot agree to the circumstances referred to in subparagraph (a), it shall notify the State of enforcement and proceed in accordance with article 104, paragraph 1.

3. In exercising its discretion to make a designation under paragraph 1, the Court shall take into account the following:

(a) The principle that States Parties should share the responsibility for enforcing sentences of imprisonment, in accordance with principles of equitable distribution, as provided in the Rules of Procedure and Evidence;

(b) The application of widely accepted international treaty standards governing the treatment of prisoners;

(c) The views of the sentenced person;

(d) The nationality of the sentenced person;

(e) Such other factors regarding the circumstances of the crime or the person sentenced, or the effective enforcement of the sentence, as may be appropriate in designating the State of enforcement.

4. If no State is designated under paragraph 1, the sentence of imprisonment shall be served in a prison facility made available by the host State, in accordance with the conditions set out in the headquarters agreement referred to in article 3, paragraph 2. In such a case, the costs arising out of the enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment shall be borne by the Court.

Article 104 Change in designation of State of enforcement

1. The Court may, at any time, decide to transfer a sentenced person to a prison of another State.

2. A sentenced person may, at any time, apply to the Court to be transferred from the State of enforcement.

Article 105 Enforcement of the sentence

1. Subject to conditions which a State may have specified in accordance with article 103, paragraph 1 (b), the sentence of imprisonment shall be binding on the States Parties, which shall in no case modify it.

2. The Court alone shall have the right to decide any application for appeal and revision. The State of enforcement shall not impede the making of any such application by a sentenced person.

Article 106 Supervision of enforcement of sentences and conditions of imprisonment

1. The enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment shall be subject to the supervision of the Court and shall be consistent with widely accepted international treaty standards governing treatment of prisoners.

2. The conditions of imprisonment shall be governed by the law of the State of enforcement and shall be consistent with widely accepted international treaty standards governing treatment of prisoners; in no case shall such conditions be more or less favourable than those available to prisoners convicted of similar offences in the State of enforcement.

3. Communications between a sentenced person and the Court shall be unimpeded and confidential.

Article 109 Enforcement of fines and forfeiture measures

1. States Parties shall give effect to fines or forfeitures ordered by the Court under Part 7, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties, and in accordance with the procedure of their national law.

2. If a State Party is unable to give effect to an order for forfeiture, it shall take measures to recover the value of the proceeds, property or assets ordered by the Court to be forfeited, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties.

3. Property, or the proceeds of the sale of real property or, where appropriate, the sale of other property, which is obtained by a State Party as a result of its enforcement of a judgement of the Court shall be transferred to the Court.