Article 159. Storage of Material Evidence and Other Objects
(1) Material evidence shall be attached to the case file and stored in the case file or in any other manner provided by law. Material evidence that due to its volume or other reasons cannot be stored in the case file shall be photographed and the pictures shall be attached to the respective transcript. After photographing, large objects may be sealed and transmitted for storage to legal entities or individuals. In this case, a relevant note shall be included in the case file.

(2) Explosive substances and other objects dangerous to human life and health may not be kept as material evidence. This fact shall be confirmed by the conclusions of specialists based on an order of the criminal investigative body authorized by the investigative judge and shall be destroyed by proper methods. In emergencies when there is an obvious risk to human life, explosive substances may be destroyed based on the conclusion of a specialist without the authorization of the investigative judge after which the respective materials shall be submitted within 24 hours to the investigative judge who shall rule on the legality of this procedural action.

(3) Narcotic, psychotropic substances and their precursors may be kept as material evidence in small quantities (samples) sufficient to be used as evidence and for an expert evaluation and should be packed and sealed by an expert. The excess of these substances shall be transmitted to authorized institutions or destroyed based on the order of the criminal investigative body authorized by the investigative judge.

(4) Immediately upon their seizure and examination, precious items, precious stones and products thereof and cash and cheques in national or foreign currency, credit cards, other payment instruments, securities, bonds acknowledged as material evidence shall be transmitted to the Main State Fiscal Inspectorate in line with the set procedure.

(5) Cash and cheques in national and foreign currency, bonds, seized during a criminal investigation shall be kept in the case file provided they have individual marks resulting from the crime.

(6) Material evidence and other objects seized shall be stored until the criminal investigative body or the court decides on their further use in a final judgment. In cases provided for hereunder, issues on material evidence may be settled prior to the completion of the criminal proceeding.

(7) A conflict regarding the ownership of an object acknowledged as material evidence shall be settled in line with civil procedures. Such an object shall be stored until the judgment issued on the civil case becomes irrevocable.