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.

Article 93
Other forms of cooperation
1. States Parties shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Part and under procedures of national law, comply with requests by the Court to provide the following assistance in relation to investigations or prosecutions:
(a) The identification and whereabouts of persons or the location of items;
(b) The taking of evidence, including testimony under oath, and the production of evidence, including expert opinions and reports necessary to the Court;
(c) The questioning of any person being investigated or prosecuted;
(d) The service of documents, including judicial documents;
(e) Facilitating the voluntary appearance of persons as witnesses or experts before the Court;
(f) The temporary transfer of persons as provided in paragraph 7;
(g) The examination of places or sites, including the exhumation and examination of grave sites;
(h) The execution of searches and seizures;
(i) The provision of records and documents, including official records and documents;
(j) The protection of victims and witnesses and the preservation of evidence;
(k) The identification, tracing and freezing or seizure of proceeds, property and assets and instrumentalities of crimes for the purpose of eventual forfeiture, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties; and
(l) Any other type of assistance which is not prohibited by the law of the requested State, with a view to facilitating the investigation and prosecution of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.
2. The Court shall have the authority to provide an assurance to a witness or an expert appearing before the Court that he or she will not be prosecuted, detained or subjected to any restriction of personal freedom by the Court in respect of any act or omission that preceded the departure of that person from the requested State.
3. Where execution of a particular measure of assistance detailed in a request presented under paragraph 1, is prohibited in the requested State on the basis of an existing fundamental legal principle of general application, the requested State shall promptly consult with the Court to try to resolve the matter. In the consultations, consideration should be given to whether the assistance can be rendered in another manner or subject to conditions. If after consultations the matter cannot be resolved, the Court shall modify the request as necessary.
4. In accordance with article 72, a State Party may deny a request for assistance, in whole or in part, only if the request concerns the production of any documents or disclosure of evidence which relates to its national security.
5. Before denying a request for assistance under paragraph 1 (l), the requested State shall consider whether the assistance can be provided subject to specified conditions, or whether the assistance can be provided at a later date or in an alternative manner, provided that if the Court or the Prosecutor accepts the assistance subject to conditions, the Court or the Prosecutor shall abide by them.
6. If a request for assistance is denied, the requested State Party shall promptly inform the Court or the Prosecutor of the reasons for such denial.
7. (a) The Court may request the temporary transfer of a person in custody for purposes of identification or for obtaining testimony or other assistance. The person may be transferred if the following conditions are fulfilled:
(i) The person freely gives his or her informed consent to the transfer; and
(ii) The requested State agrees to the transfer, subject to such conditions as that State and the Court may agree.
(b) The person being transferred shall remain in custody. When the purposes of the transfer have been fulfilled, the Court shall return the person without delay to the requested State.
8. (a) The Court shall ensure the confidentiality of documents and information, except as required for the investigation and proceedings described in the request.
(b) The requested State may, when necessary, transmit documents or information to the Prosecutor on a confidential basis. The Prosecutor may then use them solely for the purpose of generating new evidence.
(c) The requested State may, on its own motion or at the request of the Prosecutor, subsequently consent to the disclosure of such documents or information. They may then be used as evidence pursuant to the provisions of Parts 5 and 6 and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
9. (a) (i) In the event that a State Party receives competing requests, other than for surrender or extradition, from the Court and from another State pursuant to an international obligation, the State Party shall endeavour, in consultation with the Court and the other State, to meet both requests, if necessary by postponing or attaching conditions to one or the other request.
(ii) Failing that, competing requests shall be resolved in accordance with the principles established in article 90.
(b) Where, however, the request from the Court concerns information, property or persons which are subject to the control of a third State or an international organization by virtue of an international agreement, the requested States shall so inform the Court and the Court shall direct its request to the third State or international organization.
10. (a) The Court may, upon request, cooperate with and provide assistance to a State Party conducting an investigation into or trial in respect of conduct which constitutes a crime within the
jurisdiction of the Court or which constitutes a serious crime under the national law of the requesting State.
(b) (i) The assistance provided under subparagraph (a) shall include, inter alia:
a. The transmission of statements, documents or other types of evidence obtained in the course of an investigation or a trial conducted by the Court; and
b. The questioning of any person detained by order of the Court;
(ii) In the case of assistance under subparagraph (b) (i) a:
a. If the documents or other types of evidence have been obtained with the assistance of a State, such transmission shall require the consent of that State;
b. If the statements, documents or other types of evidence have been provided by a witness or expert, such transmission shall be subject to the provisions of article 68.
(c) The Court may, under the conditions set out in this paragraph, grant a request for assistance under this paragraph from a State which is not a Party to this Statute.