Article 58. Release from criminal liability due to expiration of the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution

1. A person shall be released from criminal liability if the following periods have expired from the day he committed the crime until the day the sentence comes into legal force:

1) two years - in case of committing a minor crime;
2) three years - in the case of committing a less serious crime;
3) seven years - in case of committing a serious crime;
4) ten years - in the case of committing a particularly serious crime, as well as if the crime was committed as part of an organized group or criminal community.

2. The limitation period is suspended if the person who committed the crime evaded investigation or trial. In these cases, the limitation period is resumed from the day the person was detained. In this case, the person is released from criminal liability if ten years have passed since the commission of a minor or less serious crime.

3. The limitation period shall be interrupted if, before the expiration of the periods specified in parts 1 and 2 of this article, a person commits a new crime. In this case, the limitation period shall be calculated from the date of the new crime. In this case, the limitation period shall be calculated separately for each crime.

4. The question of applying the statute of limitations to a person who has committed a particularly serious crime for which, according to the law, life imprisonment may be imposed, shall be decided by the court. If the court does not find it possible to apply the statute of limitations, life imprisonment may not be imposed and shall be replaced by imprisonment for a term of fifteen to twenty years.

5. If a criminal case is initiated against a person who has immunity and it is suspended due to the presence of immunity, the limitation period is suspended.

6. The limitation period shall not apply in cases of committing crimes provided for in Part 2 of Article 122 , Articles 137 , 154 , 155 , Parts 2 and 3 of Article 156 , Article 158 , Part 3 of Article 159 , Part 2 of Article 160 , Articles 162 , 252 , 331 , 402 , 403 , 404 , 405 , 406 , 407 , 408 , 409 , 410 , 411 , 414 of this Code.