Chapter 2. General provisions concerning legal assistance in Sweden.
The request
Section 3
A request for legal assistance in Sweden under this Act may be made by a foreign prosecutor, investigating judge, another judge or court or by some other person empowered to make such a request according to an international agreement that is binding on Sweden.
Section 4
A request for legal assistance in Sweden under this Act should contain :
– information about the foreign court or authority that is executing the matter,
– a description of the legal proceedings pending,
– information about the act involved, stating the time and place of the act, together with the provisions that are applicable in the requesting state,
– information about which measure is requested and, when appropriate, in which capacity a person shall be heard,
– name and address of the persons implicated in the matter.
Chapter 4, Sections 8, 11, 14 and 29 contain special provisions concerning what a request further should contain regarding certain kinds of measures.
If the matter is urgent or if execution is desired within a specific time limit, this, together with the reasons for the urgency or time limit, shall be stated.
A request for legal assistance shall be made in writing by post, messenger or telefax. The request may also, upon agreement in the particular case, be sent in another manner.
Section 5
A request for legal assistance and enclosed documents shall be written in Swedish, Danish or Norwegian or be accompanied by a translation into one of these languages, unless the instance responsible for executing the request under this Act so allows in the particular case.
Section 6
A request for legal assistance in Sweden under this Act shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice, which will pass the request on to the Prosecutor-General or to the competent court unless the request shall be considered by the Government. The Ministry of Justice may, following consultation with the Prosecutor-General, pass the matter on directly to a competent prosecutor.
A request from a state that is a Member of the European Union or from Norway or Iceland may be made directly to a competent prosecutor or court. This also applies if it in an international agreement that is binding on Sweden has been agreed that a request may be made directly.
Competence and transfer to another prosecutor or district court
Section 7
A request that according to this Act is to be executed by a court shall be executed by the district court within whose area the requested measure shall be taken unless otherwise prescribed by this Act.
A request that according to this Act is to be executed by a prosecutor shall be executed by the prosecutor within whose area the requested measure shall be taken or the prosecutor assigned by the Prosecutor-General.
A prosecutor who is competent to execute one of several requested measures may also, if it is appropriate, execute other requested measures that another prosecutor is competent to take.
If the prosecutor or the district court is not competent to execute the request, the request shall be transferred to a competent prosecutor or district court. The request may also, following consultation, be transferred in other cases, if this is appropriate.
Notifications
Section 8
If the foreign authority so requests, the prosecutor or district court that is handling the matter shall acknowledge receipt of the request, unless the measure requested can be taken immediately.
If a measure requested can not be taken within the time limit stated in the request and if it can be assumed that this will impair the proceedings in the requesting state, the prosecutor or the district court that is handling the matter shall, promptly, notify the foreign authority of when it will be possible to take the measure requested.
Incomplete requests and impediments to execution
Section 9
If the request does not contain the information necessary for the matter to be executed, the requesting state shall be given an opportunity to supplement the request. If the request can only be granted partially or subject to certain conditions, the requesting state shall be notified about the impediments that exist and be given an opportunity to express its views or to supplement or amend the request.
The procedure
Section 10
Requests for legal assistance shall be executed promptly. Unless otherwise prescribed by this Act, the same procedure shall be applied as is applied when a corresponding measure is taken in connection with a Swedish preliminary investigation or trial. A court may decide that the matter shall be executed completely or partially in a foreign language, if this is appropriate.
Section 11
If the request contains a request of a particular procedure, this shall be applied, if it does not conflict with the fundamental principles of the Swedish legal system.
Section 12
A person who shall be heard or otherwise satisfy something according to this Act is entitled to refuse, if there is a basis for so doing under Swedish law or under the law of the requesting state.
Public defence counsel, counsel for aggrieved person and supporting person
Section 13
A suspect, accused or aggrieved person who shall be heard according to this Act, or who is otherwise adversely affected by a measure requested, has the same right to a public defence counsel, counsel for aggrieved person or supporting person as in the case of a Swedish preliminary investigation or trial.
Chapter 4, Section 3 contains special provisions concerning public defence counsels.
Consideration of requests and decisions on refusals
Section 14
A request for legal assistance shall be refused if execution of the request would violate Sweden’s sovereignty, involve a risk to national security or conflict with Swedish general principles of law or other essential interests.
A request for legal assistance may also be refused if
1. the act is in the nature of a political offence,
2. the act comprises a military offence, unless the act also corresponds to another offence under Swedish law that is not a military offence,
3. a judgment or decision on waiver of prosecution concerning the act has been issued in Sweden, or
4. the circumstances are otherwise such that the request should not be granted.
The second paragraph does not apply if a refusal would conflict with an international agreement that applies between Sweden and the requesting state. The second paragraph, item 1, does not apply to a request from a state that is a Member of the European Union or from Norway or Iceland.
Section 15
Decisions on refusals on any of the grounds stated in Section 14 are made by the Government. If a prosecutor or a court considers that a request should be refused on any such ground, the request shall be transferred to the Government. A request may also be transferred to the Government for determination of a refusal in other cases.
Otherwise, the instance that deals with the matter considers and decides whether the prerequisites and conditions applicable under the Act are satisfied. If the request has been submitted to the Ministry of Justice and it is manifest that the request should be refused, the Minister of Justice may directly decide to refuse the request instead of passing it on in accordance with Section 6.
Section 16
A decision to refuse a request completely or in part shall explain the reasons that determined the outcome.
Reporting back
Section 17
When the processing of the matter has been concluded, it shall be reported to the Ministry of Justice for passing on to the requesting state. If the request has been made directly in accordance with Section 6, second paragraph, the matter shall instead be reported directly to the authority in the requesting state that made the request.
Chapter 4. Special provisions concerning different measures of legal assistance
Taking of evidence in courts
Taking of evidence in Swedish courts
Section 2
A request for taking of evidence in a Swedish court that involves holding a hearing, the production of written evidence or the conduct of a viewing is executed by a district court.
The matter shall be regarded as a taking of evidence outside a main hearing. The parties shall be notified of the time and place for the taking of evidence but only need to be summoned if the party shall be heard or otherwise satisfy something at the taking of evidence.
Section 3
At a taking of evidence a public defence counsel may be appointed in accordance with Chapter 21 of the Code of Judicial Procedure for the suspect or the accused also in other cases than those referred to in Chapter 2, Section 13, if there are special reasons.
Section 4
A judge at the foreign court or representative for the authority that requested the taking of evidence may participate at the taking of evidence and may, with the permission of the court, present questions directly to the person being heard.
Section 5
If the requesting state has presented a request for this, a Swedish prosecutor may participate at the taking of evidence for the purpose of protecting the interests of the requesting state.
Taking of evidence in foreign courts
Section 6
In a case or a matter at a Swedish court, the court may decide that evidence shall be taken in a foreign court. Such taking of evidence may relate to conduct of a viewing, written evidence or hearing of a witness, expert, party, the aggrieved person or the person referred to in Chapter 36, Section 1, second and third paragraphs of the Code of Judicial Procedure.
Section 7
If measures referred to in Chapter 23, Sections 13-15, of the Code of Judicial Procedure shall be taken in a foreign court and the foreign state requires that the request first shall be considered by a court in Sweden, a district court may at the request of a prosecutor decide that such measures shall be taken abroad.
Chapter 4. Special provisions concerning different measures of legal assistance
Provisional attachment, seizure and search of premises and other measures under Chapter 28 of the Code of Judicial Procedure
The request and procedure
Section 14
If judgment has been issued in the foreign state, a copy of the judgment shall be annexed to the request for provisional attachment or seizure. A request for seizure as referred to in Section 23 should, when appropriate, contain information about when prosecution will be instituted or a judgment can be issued in the requesting state.
Section 15
A request for provisional attachment in Sweden is executed by a prosecutor. The prosecutor shall immediately consider whether the perquisites of the measure exist and in such case hand over the request to the court for a decision.
Section 16
A request for seizure in Sweden, or for search of premises in Sweden to search for property that is subject to seizure, is executed by a prosecutor.
Seizures implemented shall be promptly notified to the court for consideration. The court shall, as soon as it can take place, hold a hearing on the matter. The provisions of Chapter 24, Section 17, second paragraph of the Code of Judicial Procedure shall be applied at the hearing.
Section 17
Representatives for the requesting authority may participate at the hearing and may, with the permission of the court, present questions to the person affected by the measure.
Section 18
A request that other measures under Chapter 28 of the Code of Judicial Procedure than referred to in Section 16 shall be taken in Sweden is dealt with by a prosecutor.
Seizure and transfer of seized property to another state
Section 19
Property may be seized and transferred to the requesting state if the property may reasonably be assumed :
– to be of importance for the investigation of the act
– to have been deprived from someone by an offence, or
– to be confiscated by reason of an offence, if the property could have been confiscated under Swedish law in a trial in Sweden and there are special reasons to transfer the property to the requesting state.
Section 20
If the act to which the request relates does not correspond to an offence according to Swedish law, a search of premises in accordance with Section 16 may be made and property seized and transferred to the requesting state, provided that the request has been made by a state that is a Member of the European Union or by Norway or Iceland and that imprisonment may be imposed for the act in the requesting state.
In a case of legal assistance as referred to in Chapter 1, Section 5, first paragraph, item 1, a search of premises may be conducted and property may be seized and transferred to the requesting state if the act corresponds to an offence for which imprisonment of six months or more is laid down by Swedish law or by the law of the requesting state. What has just been said does not apply if the first paragraph is applicable.
Section 21
The court shall consider whether the seizure is lawfully founded and whether the property shall be transferred to the requesting state.
Section 22
Decisions to transfer seized property to another state are executed by the prosecutor.
Seizure and provisional attachment to secure enforcement in Sweden of a foreign confiscation
Section 23
If confiscation that is decided in another state can be enforced in Sweden, and it can reasonably be anticipated that enforcement in Sweden of the foreign confiscation decision would otherwise be made more difficult,
1. property that has been confiscated or that can reasonably be assumed to be confiscated as a result of an offence may be seized, or
2. a decision on provisional attachment may be made for so much of the assets of the person concerned as correspond to the value of that which has been confiscated or reasonably may be assumed to be confiscated.
Section 24
When the court decides on provisional attachment or confirms a seizure executed, the court shall decide how long the measure may continue at most. The time determined may be extended if there is reason to do so.
If there is no longer reason for provisional attachment or seizure, the court shall revoke the measure. Before the provisional attachment or seizure is revoked, the court shall give the requesting state an opportunity to express its views, unless this is manifestly unnecessary. In other matters, the measures shall remain in force until such time as a request for execution is considered.
Chapter 4. Special provisions concerning different measures of legal assistance
Transfer of persons deprived of liberty for hearings, etc.
Transfer from or to Sweden at the request of another state
Section 29
Upon application by another state, for a hearing or confrontation in conjunction with a preliminary investigation or trial there,
1. a person who is deprived of liberty in Sweden may be transferred to the other state, if the hearing relates to something other than the personal criminality of the person deprived of liberty, or
2. a person who is deprived of liberty in the other state may be transferred to Sweden.
A request under the first paragraph, item 1, shall indicate the length of time that the person deprived of liberty needs to stay in the other state.
Section 30
The request is considered by the Government. A request from a state that is a Member of the European Union or from Iceland or Norway is considered by a prosecutor.
A request under Section 29, first paragraph, item 1, may be refused if a transfer means that the period for the deprivation of liberty is extended or if the attendance of the person deprived of liberty is needed in a criminal matter that is being dealt with in Sweden.
If a request under Section 29, first paragraph, item 1, is granted, the decision shall indicate when the person deprived of liberty shall be returned to Sweden at the latest or, in appropriate cases, be released.
Transfer from or to Sweden at the request of a Swedish prosecutor or court
Section 31
A Swedish prosecutor or court may request that, for the purpose of a hearing or confrontation in conjunction with a preliminary investigation or trial in Sweden,
1. a person who is deprived of liberty in Sweden be transferred to the other state, or
2. a person who is deprived of liberty in the other state be transferred to Sweden.
Expression of views
Section 32
Before considering a request that a person deprived of liberty shall be transferred to another state, views shall be obtained from the authority responsible for the enforcement of the detention unless it is manifest that this is unnecessary. The same applies before such a request is made by a Swedish court or prosecutor.
Transport through Sweden
Section 33
The Minister of Justice may grant permission for transport through Sweden for a person deprived of liberty who will be transferred over from one state to another state for hearing or confrontation.
Custody in Sweden of transferred persons
Section 34
A person who is transferred to Sweden shall be taken into custody by a police authority.
If permission has been granted in accordance with Section 30, the police authority may if necessary, take the person being transferred into custody.
1. La Cour peut présenter à tout État sur le territoire duquel une personne est susceptible de se trouver une demande, accompagnée des pièces justificatives indiquées à l'article 91, tendant à ce que cette personne soit arrêtée et lui soit remise, et sollicite la coopération de cet État pour l'arrestation et la remise de la personne. Les États Parties répondent à toute demande d'arrestation et de remise conformément aux dispositions du présent chapitre et aux procédures prévues par leur législation nationale.
1. Les États Parties font droit, conformément aux dispositions du présent chapitre et aux procédures prévues par leur législation nationale, aux demandes d'assistance de la Cour liées à une enquête ou à des poursuites et concernant :
a) L'identification d'une personne, le lieu où elle se trouve ou la localisation de biens ;
b) Le rassemblement d'éléments de preuve, y compris les dépositions faites sous serment, et la production d'éléments de preuve, y compris les expertises et les rapports dont la Cour a besoin ;
c) L'interrogatoire des personnes faisant l'objet d'une enquête ou de poursuites ;
d) La signification de documents, y compris les pièces de procédure ;
e) Les mesures propres à faciliter la comparution volontaire devant la Cour de personnes déposant comme témoins ou experts ;
f) Le transfèrement temporaire de personnes en vertu du paragraphe 7 ;
g) L'examen de localités ou de sites, notamment l'exhumation et l'examen de cadavres enterrés dans des fosses communes ;
h) L'exécution de perquisitions et de saisies ;
i) La transmission de dossiers et de documents, y compris les dossiers et les documents officiels ;
j) La protection des victimes et des témoins et la préservation des éléments de preuve ;
k) L'identification, la localisation, le gel ou la saisie du produit des crimes, des biens, des avoirs et des instruments qui sont liés aux crimes, aux fins de leur confiscation éventuelle, sans préjudice des droits des tiers de bonne foi ; et
l) Toute autre forme d'assistance non interdite par la législation de l'État requis propre à faciliter l'enquête et les poursuites relatives aux crimes relevant de la compétence de la Cour.
2. La Cour est habilitée à fournir à un témoin ou à un expert comparaissant devant elle l'assurance qu'il ne sera ni poursuivi, ni détenu, ni soumis par elle à une restriction quelconque de sa liberté personnelle pour un acte ou une omission antérieurs à son départ de l'État requis.
3. Si l'exécution d'une mesure particulière d'assistance décrite dans une demande présentée en vertu du paragraphe 1 est interdite dans l'État requis en vertu d'un principe juridique fondamental d'application générale, ledit État engage sans tarder des consultations avec la Cour pour tenter de régler la question. Au cours de ces consultations, il est envisagé d'apporter l'assistance demandée sous une autre forme ou sous certaines conditions. Si la question n'est pas réglée à l'issue des consultations, la Cour modifie la demande.
4. Conformément à l'article 72, un État Partie ne peut rejeter, totalement ou partiellement, une demande d'assistance de la Cour que si cette demande a pour objet la production de documents ou la divulgation d'éléments de preuve qui touchent à sa sécurité nationale.
5. Avant de rejeter une demande d'assistance visée au paragraphe 1, alinéa l), l'État requis détermine si l'assistance peut être fournie sous certaines conditions, ou pourrait l'être ultérieurement ou sous une autre forme, étant entendu que si la Cour ou le Procureur acceptent ces conditions, ils sont tenus de les observer.
6. L'État requis qui rejette une demande d'assistance fait connaître sans retard ses raisons à la Cour ou au Procureur.
a) La Cour peut demander le transfèrement temporaire d'une personne détenue aux fins d'identification ou pour obtenir un témoignage ou d'autres formes d'assistance. Cette personne peut être transférée si les conditions suivantes sont remplies :
i) La personne donne librement et en connaissance de cause son consentement au transfèrement ; et
ii) L'État requis donne son accord au transfèrement, sous réserve des conditions dont cet État et la Cour peuvent convenir.
b) La personne transférée reste détenue. Une fois l'objectif du transfèrement atteint, la Cour renvoie sans délai cette personne dans l'État requis.
a) La Cour préserve le caractère confidentiel des pièces et renseignements recueillis, sauf dans la mesure nécessaire à l'enquête et aux procédures décrites dans la demande.
b) L'État requis peut au besoin communiquer des documents ou des renseignements au Procureur à titre confidentiel. Le Procureur ne peut alors les utiliser que pour recueillir des éléments de preuve nouveaux.
c) L'État requis peut, soit d'office, soit à la demande du Procureur, autoriser par la suite la divulgation de ces documents ou renseignements. Ceux-ci peuvent alors être utilisés comme moyen de preuve conformément aux dispositions des chapitres V et VI et au Règlement de procédure et de preuve.
i) Si un État Partie reçoit, d'une part, de la Cour et, d'autre part, d'un autre État dans le cadre d'une obligation internationale, des demandes concurrentes ayant un autre objet que la remise ou l'extradition, il s'efforce, en consultation avec la Cour et cet autre État, de faire droit aux deux demandes, au besoin en différant l'une ou l'autre ou en la subordonnant à certaines conditions.
ii) À défaut, la concurrence des demandes est résolue conformément aux principes établis à l'article 90.
b) Toutefois, lorsque la demande de la Cour concerne des renseignements, des biens ou des personnes qui se trouvent sous l'autorité d'un État tiers ou d'une organisation internationale en vertu d'un accord international, l'État requis en informe la Cour et celle-ci adresse sa demande à l'État tiers ou à l'organisation internationale.
10. a) Si elle reçoit une demande en ce sens, la Cour peut coopérer avec l'État Partie qui mène une enquête ou un procès concernant un comportement qui constitue un crime relevant de la compétence de la Cour ou un crime grave au regard du droit interne de cet État, et prêter assistance à cet État.
b)
i) Cette assistance comprend notamment :
a. La transmission de dépositions, documents et autres éléments de preuve recueillis au cours d'une enquête ou d'un procès menés par la Cour ; et
b. L'interrogatoire de toute personne détenue par ordre de la Cour ;
ii) Dans le cas visé au point a. du sous-alinéa b, i) :
a. La transmission des documents et autres éléments de preuve obtenus avec l'assistance d'un État requiert le consentement de cet État ;
b. La transmission des dépositions, documents et autres éléments de preuve fournis par un témoin ou par un expert se fait conformément aux dispositions de l'article 68.
c) La Cour peut, dans les conditions énoncées au présent paragraphe, faire droit à une demande d'assistance émanant d'un État qui n'est pas partie au présent Statut.