BOOK IV
SOME SPECIFIC PROCEEDINGS
TITLE I
CO-OPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
CHAPTER I
JUDICIAL CO-OPERATION
SECTION II
ARRESTS AND TRANSFERS
Article 627-4
Arrest applications for the purpose of transfer are delivered to the competent authorities, either in original form or as certified copies accompanied by the appropriate proofs, in accordance with article 87 of the Statute. After ensuring that they are in proper form, these authorities then send them to the prosecutor general of the Appeal Court of Paris, whilst implementing them at the same time over the whole French territory.
In cases of urgency, these requests may also be sent directly, by any available means, to the district prosecutor who is territorially competent. They are then sent on in the forms provided for by the previous paragraph.
Article 627-5
Any person who is apprehended in accordance with an application for arrest for the purpose of transfer must be handed over within twenty-four hours to the district prosecutor who is territorially competent. During this period, the provisions of articles 63.-1 to 63-5 apply to him.
After checking the person's identity, the prosecutor informs him, in a language that he understands, that he is named in an arrest application for the purpose of transfer, and that he must appear before the prosecutor general of the Appeal Court of Paris within five days at the latest. The district prosecutor also informs him that he may be assisted by an advocate of his choice, or failing this, by an advocate officially appointed by the bâtonnier of the order of advocates, who is immediately informed by any available means. The arrested person is also informed by the district prosecutor that he may speak to the appointed advocate immediately.
This information is noted in the official record, which is sent to the prosecutor general of the Appeal Court of Paris as soon as possible.
The district prosecutor orders that the apprehended person be sent to prison.
Article 627-6
The apprehended person is transferred, if necessary, and imprisoned in the prison for the area of the Appeal Court of Paris. The transfer must be made within five days at the latest from the time of his appearance before the district prosecutor, failing which the apprehended person is immediately set free on the order of the president of the investigating chamber of the Appeal Court of Paris, unless the transfer was delayed by insuperable circumstances.
The prosecutor general of the same court informs the apprehended person, in a language that he understands, of the application for arrest for the purpose of transfer, and also of the charges brought against him
If the person apprehended has already requested the presence of an advocate, who has been duly sent for, the prosecutor general hears his statement.
In all other cases, the prosecutor reminds him of his right to choose an advocate or to ask for one to be officially nominated for him. The chosen advocate, or in case of a request for one to be officially nominated the bâtonnier of the order of advocates, is informed at once by any means available. The advocate may look at the case file straight away, and may freely communicate with the apprehended person. The prosecutor general hears the latter's statement after informing him that he is free to not make one. This notification is recorded in the official record.
Article 627-7
The proceedings are immediately transferred to the investigating chamber. The requested person appears before the investigating chamber within a week of his presentation to the prosecutor general. At the request of the latter or of the requested person, an additional period of a week may be granted before the proceedings. An interrogation is then carried out, of which an official record is made.
The hearing takes place and the judgment is given in open court, unless a public presence would be harmful to the course of the proceedings, the interests of a third party or to human dignity. In these cases the investigating chamber rules by an order made in chambers, on its own motion or at the request of the public prosecutor or the requested person. This judgment is only open to appeal at the same time as the decree concerning the transfer provided for in article 627-8.
The public prosecutor and the requested person are heard, the latter assisted by his advocate if there is one and, if necessary, an interpreter.
Article 627-8
Where the investigating chamber finds that there is no obvious error, it orders that the requested person be handed over and, if the latter is free, his imprisonment for this purpose. All other questions submitted to the investigating chamber are sent to the International Criminal Court, which takes the appropriate action.
The investigating chamber rules within fifteen days of the requested person's appearance before it. Where an appeal is lodged, the criminal chamber of the Court of Cassation rules within two months of the Court of Cassation's receipt of the case file.
Article 627-9
The investigating chamber of the Appeal Court of Paris can be requested to grant the detainee's release at any time, and proceeds in accordance with article 59 of the Statute and the procedure provided for in articles 148-1 onwards of the present Code.
The investigating chamber rules in a decree given in open court, justified by reference to the provisions of paragraph 4 of the aforementioned article 59.
Article 627-10
The International Criminal Court is notified, by any available means, of the decree made by the investigating chamber and, if appropriate, the place and date of the transfer of the requested person, as well as the length of time the person has been detained in order to effect this transfer, by the competent authorities in accordance with article 87 of the statute.
The requested person is handed over within a month from the day this decision becomes final, failing which he is immediately released on the ruling of the president of the investigating chamber, unless the transfer was delayed by insuperable circumstances.
Article 627-11
The provisions of articles 627-4 to 627-10 are also applicable if the requested person has been prosecuted or convicted in France on charges other than the ones specified in the International Criminal Court's application. However, in these circumstances the detainee cannot benefit from being released in accordance with articles 627-6, 627-9 and the second paragraph of article 627-10.
The transfer of proceedings before the International Criminal Court suspends the prescription of the prosecution and the sentence in relation to the person concerned.
Article 627-12
Transit through French territory is sanctioned by the competent authorities in accordance with article 87 of the statute.
Article 627-13
Where the court seeks an extension to the conditions of the transfer granted by the French authorities, the request is sent to the competent authorities, in accordance with article 87 of the Statute, who communicate it to the investigating chamber of the Appeal Court of Paris together with all the evidence and any statement of the party concerned.
If, after examining the submitted documents and, where appropriate, the explanations of the advocate for the party concerned, the investigating chamber finds that there is no obvious error, it grants the requested extension.
Article 627-14
A person who has been taken into preventative custody under the conditions provided for in article 92 of the statute may, if he consents to this, be handed over to the International Criminal Court, in accordance with article 87 of the statute, before the competent authorities have been seised of an official request for the transfer on the part of the international court.
The transfer decision is made by the investigating chamber of the Appeal Court of Paris after the latter has informed the person concerned of his right to an official transfer procedure, and has obtained his consent.
During his hearing before the investigating chamber, the person concerned may be assisted by an advocate of his choice, or failing this, an advocate officially nominated by the bâtonnier of the order of advocates and, if necessary, an interpreter.
A person who has been taken into preventative custody under the conditions provided for in article 92 of the statute, and has not consented to be handed over to the court may be freed if the competent authorities in accordance with article 87 do not receive the official transfer request within the time limit set out by the international court's regulations governing procedure and evidence.
Release is decided by the investigating chamber on an application made by the party concerned. The investigating chamber rules within eight days of the arrested person's appearance before it.
Article 627-15
Any person detained on French territory may, if they agree, be transferred to the International Criminal Court in order to be identified or heard, or for any other investigative act to be carried out. The transfer is authorised by the Minister of Justice.
(a) The Court shall have the authority to make requests to States Parties for cooperation. The requests shall be transmitted through the diplomatic channel or any other appropriate channel as may be designated by each State Party upon ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Subsequent changes to the designation shall be made by each State Party in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
(b) When appropriate, without prejudice to the provisions of subparagraph (a), requests may also be transmitted through the International Criminal Police Organization or any appropriate regional organization.
2. Requests for cooperation and any documents supporting the request shall either be in or be accompanied by a translation into an official language of the requested State or one of the working languages of the Court, in accordance with the choice made by that State upon ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Subsequent changes to this choice shall be made in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
3. The requested State shall keep confidential a request for cooperation and any documents supporting the request, except to the extent that the disclosure is necessary for execution of the request.
4. In relation to any request for assistance presented under this Part, the Court may take such measures, including measures related to the protection of information, as may be necessary to ensure the safety or physical or psychological well-being of any victims, potential witnesses and their families. The Court may request that any information that is made available under this Part shall be provided and handled in a manner that protects the safety and physical or psychological well-being of any victims, potential witnesses and their families.
(a) The Court may invite any State not party to this Statute to provide assistance under this Part on the basis of an ad hoc arrangement, an agreement with such State or any other appropriate basis.
(b) Where a State not party to this Statute, which has entered into an ad hoc arrangement or an agreement with the Court, fails to cooperate with requests pursuant to any such arrangement or agreement, the Court may so inform the Assembly of States Parties or, where the Security Council referred the matter to the Court, the Security Council.
6. The Court may ask any intergovernmental organization to provide information or documents. The Court may also ask for other forms of cooperation and assistance which may be agreed upon with such an organization and which are in accordance with its competence or mandate.
7. Where a State Party fails to comply with a request to cooperate by the Court contrary to the provisions of this Statute, thereby preventing the Court from exercising its functions and powers under this Statute, the Court may make a finding to that effect and refer the matter to the Assembly of States Parties or, where the Security Council referred the matter to the Court, to the Security Council.
States Parties shall ensure that there are procedures available under their national law for all of the forms of cooperation which are specified under this Part.
1. The Court may transmit a request for the arrest and surrender of a person, together with the material supporting the request outlined in article 91, to any State on the territory of which that person may be found and shall request the cooperation of that State in the arrest and surrender of such a person. States Parties shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Part and the procedure under their national law, comply with requests for arrest and surrender.
2. Where the person sought for surrender brings a challenge before a national court on the basis of the principle of ne bis in idem as provided in article 20, the requested State shall immediately consult with the Court to determine if there has been a relevant ruling on admissibility. If the case is admissible, the requested State shall proceed with the execution of the request. If an admissibility ruling is pending, the requested State may postpone the execution of the request for surrender of the person until the Court makes a determination on admissibility.
(a) A State Party shall authorize, in accordance with its national procedural law, transportation through its territory of a person being surrendered to the Court by another State, except where transit through that State would impede or delay the surrender.
(b) A request by the Court for transit shall be transmitted in accordance with article 87. The request for transit shall contain:
(i) A description of the person being transported;
(ii) A brief statement of the facts of the case and their legal characterization; and
(iii) The warrant for arrest and surrender;
(c) A person being transported shall be detained in custody during the period of transit;
(d) No authorization is required if the person is transported by air and no landing is scheduled on the territory of the transit State;
(e) If an unscheduled landing occurs on the territory of the transit State, that State may require a request for transit from the Court as provided for in subparagraph (b). The transit State shall detain the person being transported until the request for transit is received and the transit is effected, provided that detention for purposes of this subparagraph may not be extended beyond 96 hours from the unscheduled landing unless the request is received within that time.
4. If the person sought is being proceeded against or is serving a sentence in the requested State for a crime different from that for which surrender to the Court is sought, the requested State, after making its decision to grant the request, shall consult with the Court.
1. A State Party which receives a request from the Court for the surrender of a person under article 89 shall, if it also receives a request from any other State for the extradition of the same person for the same conduct which forms the basis of the crime for which the Court seeks the person's surrender, notify the Court and the requesting State of that fact.
2. Where the requesting State is a State Party, the requested State shall give priority to the request from the Court if:
(a) The Court has, pursuant to article 18 or 19, made a determination that the case in respect of which surrender is sought is admissible and that determination takes into account the investigation or prosecution conducted by the requesting State in respect of its request for extradition; or
(b) The Court makes the determination described in subparagraph (a) pursuant to the requested State's notification under paragraph 1.
3. Where a determination under paragraph 2 (a) has not been made, the requested State may, at its discretion, pending the determination of the Court under paragraph 2 (b), proceed to deal with the request for extradition from the requesting State but shall not extradite the person until the Court has determined that the case is inadmissible. The Court's determination shall be made on an expedited basis.
4. If the requesting State is a State not Party to this Statute the requested State, if it is not under an international obligation to extradite the person to the requesting State, shall give priority to the request for surrender from the Court, if the Court has determined that the case is admissible.
5. Where a case under paragraph 4 has not been determined to be admissible by the Court, the requested State may, at its discretion, proceed to deal with the request for extradition from the requesting State.
6. In cases where paragraph 4 applies except that the requested State is under an existing international obligation to extradite the person to the requesting State not Party to this Statute, the requested State shall determine whether to surrender the person to the Court or extradite the person to the requesting State. In making its decision, the requested State shall consider all the relevant factors, including but not limited to:
(a) The respective dates of the requests;
(b) The interests of the requesting State including, where relevant, whether the crime was committed in its territory and the nationality of the victims and of the person sought; and
(c) The possibility of subsequent surrender between the Court and the requesting State.
7. Where a State Party which receives a request from the Court for the surrender of a person also receives a request from any State for the extradition of the same person for conduct other than that which constitutes the crime for which the Court seeks the person's surrender:
(a) The requested State shall, if it is not under an existing international obligation to extradite the person to the requesting State, give priority to the request from the Court;
(b) The requested State shall, if it is under an existing international obligation to extradite the person to the requesting State, determine whether to surrender the person to the Court or to extradite the person to the requesting State. In making its decision, the requested State shall consider all the relevant factors, including but not limited to those set out in paragraph 6, but shall give special consideration to the relative nature and gravity of the conduct in question.
Where pursuant to a notification under this article, the Court has determined a case to be inadmissible, and subsequently extradition to the requesting State is refused, the requested State shall notify the Court of this decision.
1. A request for arrest and surrender shall be made in writing. In urgent cases, a request may be made by any medium capable of delivering a written record, provided that the request shall be confirmed through the channel provided for in article 87, paragraph 1 (a).
2. In the case of a request for the arrest and surrender of a person for whom a warrant of arrest has been issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber under article 58, the request shall contain or be supported by:
(a) Information describing the person sought, sufficient to identify the person, and information as to that person's probable location;
(b) A copy of the warrant of arrest; and
(c) Such documents, statements or information as may be necessary to meet the requirements for the surrender process in the requested State, except that those requirements should not be more burdensome than those applicable to requests for extradition pursuant to treaties or arrangements between the requested State and other States and should, if possible, be less burdensome, taking into account the distinct nature of the Court.
3. In the case of a request for the arrest and surrender of a person already convicted, the request shall contain or be supported by:
(a) A copy of any warrant of arrest for that person;
(b) A copy of the judgement of conviction;
(c) Information to demonstrate that the person sought is the one referred to in the judgement of conviction; and
(d) If the person sought has been sentenced, a copy of the sentence imposed and, in the case of a sentence for imprisonment, a statement of any time already served and the time remaining to be served.
4. Upon the request of the Court, a State Party shall consult with the Court, either generally or with respect to a specific matter, regarding any requirements under its national law that may apply under paragraph 2 (c). During the consultations, the State Party shall advise the Court of the specific requirements of its national law.
1. In urgent cases, the Court may request the provisional arrest of the person sought, pending presentation of the request for surrender and the documents supporting the request as specified in article 91.
2. The request for provisional arrest shall be made by any medium capable of delivering a written record and shall contain:
(a) Information describing the person sought, sufficient to identify the person, and information as to that person's probable location;
(b) A concise statement of the crimes for which the person's arrest is sought and of the facts which are alleged to constitute those crimes, including, where possible, the date and location of the crime;
(c) A statement of the existence of a warrant of arrest or a judgement of conviction against the person sought; and
(d) A statement that a request for surrender of the person sought will follow.
3. A person who is provisionally arrested may be released from custody if the requested State has not received the request for surrender and the documents supporting the request as specified in article 91 within the time limits specified in the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. However, the person may consent to surrender before the expiration of this period if permitted by the law of the requested State. In such a case, the requested State shall proceed to surrender the person to the Court as soon as possible.
4. The fact that the person sought has been released from custody pursuant to paragraph 3 shall not prejudice the subsequent arrest and surrender of that person if the request for surrender and the documents supporting the request are delivered at a later date.