Chapter 3
PROOF

Division 2
Hearing of Witnesses

§ 73. Refusal to give testimony concerning state secrets or classified information of foreign states
[RT I 2007, 16, 77 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

(1) A witness has the right to refuse to give testimony concerning circumstances to which the State Secrets and Classified Information of Foreign States Act applies.
[RT I 2007, 16, 77 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

(2) If a witness refuses to give testimony in order to protect a state secret or classified information of a foreign state, the investigative body, Prosecutor's Office or court shall request the agency in possession of the state secret or classified information of a foreign state to confirm classification of the facts as state secret or classified information of a foreign state.
[RT I 2007, 16, 77 - entry into force 01.01.2008]

(3) If an agency in possession of a state secret or classified information of a foreign state does not confirm classification of facts as state secret or classified information of a foreign state or does not respond to a request specified in subsection (2) of this section within twenty days, the witness is required to give testimony.

Chapter 19
INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Division 1
General Provisions

§ 433. General principles

(4) If adherence to the requirement of confidentiality is requested in the course of international co-operation in criminal procedure, such requirement shall be complied with to the extent necessary for the purposes of co-operation. If compliance with the confidentiality requirement is refused, the requesting state shall be immediately notified of such refusal.
[RT I 2004, 54, 387 - entry into force 01.07.2004]

Chapter 19
INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Division 1
General Provisions

§ 436. Prohibition on international co-operation in criminal procedure

(1) The Republic of Estonia refuses to engage in international co-operation if :

1) it may endanger the security, public order or other essential interests of the Republic of Estonia ;
2) it is in conflict with the general principles of Estonian law ;
3) there is reason to believe that the assistance is requested for the purpose of bringing charges against or punishing a person on account of his or her race, nationality or religious or political beliefs, or if the situation of the person may deteriorate for any of such reasons.

Chapter 19
INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Division 3
Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters

§ 461. Prohibition on compliance with request for assistance

Compliance with a request for assistance is not permitted and shall be refused on the grounds provided for in § 436 of this Code.

Article 72
Protection of national security information
1. This article applies in any case where the disclosure of the information or documents of a State would, in the opinion of that State, prejudice its national security interests. Such cases include those falling within the scope of article 56, paragraphs 2 and 3, article 61, paragraph 3, article 64, paragraph 3, article 67, paragraph 2, article 68, paragraph 6, article 87, paragraph 6 and article 93, as well as cases arising at any other stage of the proceedings where such disclosure may be at issue.
2. This article shall also apply when a person who has been requested to give information or evidence has refused to do so or has referred the matter to the State on the ground that disclosure would prejudice the national security interests of a State and the State concerned confirms that it is of the opinion that disclosure would prejudice its national security interests.
3. Nothing in this article shall prejudice the requirements of confidentiality applicable under article 54, paragraph 3 (e) and (f), or the application of article 73.
4. If a State learns that information or documents of the State are being, or are likely to be, disclosed at any stage of the proceedings, and it is of the opinion that disclosure would prejudice its national security interests, that State shall have the right to intervene in order to obtain resolution of the issue in accordance with this article.
5. If, in the opinion of a State, disclosure of information would prejudice its national security interests, all reasonable steps will be taken by the State, acting in conjunction with the Prosecutor, the defence or the Pre-Trial Chamber or Trial Chamber, as the case may be, to seek to resolve the matter by cooperative means. Such steps may include:
(a) Modification or clarification of the request;
(b) A determination by the Court regarding the relevance of the information or evidence sought, or a determination as to whether the evidence, though relevant, could be or has been obtained from a source other than the requested State;
(c) Obtaining the information or evidence from a different source or in a different form; or
(d) Agreement on conditions under which the assistance could be provided including, among other things, providing summaries or redactions, limitations on disclosure, use of in camera or ex parte proceedings, or other protective measures permissible under the Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
6. Once all reasonable steps have been taken to resolve the matter through cooperative means, and if the State considers that there are no means or conditions under which the information or documents could be provided or disclosed without prejudice to its national security interests, it shall so notify the Prosecutor or the Court of the specific reasons for its decision, unless a specific description of the reasons would itself necessarily result in such prejudice to the State's national security interests.
7. Thereafter, if the Court determines that the evidence is relevant and necessary for the establishment of the guilt or innocence of the accused, the Court may undertake the following actions:
(a) Where disclosure of the information or document is sought pursuant to a request for cooperation under Part 9 or the circumstances described in paragraph 2, and the State has invoked the ground for refusal referred to in article 93, paragraph 4:
(i) The Court may, before making any conclusion referred to in subparagraph 7 (a) (ii), request further consultations for the purpose of considering the State's representations, which may include, as appropriate, hearings in camera and ex parte;
(ii) If the Court concludes that, by invoking the ground for refusal under article 93, paragraph 4, in the circumstances of the case, the requested State is not acting in accordance with its obligations under this Statute, the Court may refer the matter in accordance with article 87, paragraph 7, specifying the reasons for its conclusion; and
(iii) The Court may make such inference in the trial of the accused as to the existence or non-existence of a fact, as may be appropriate in the circumstances; or
(b) In all other circumstances:
(i) Order disclosure; or
(ii) To the extent it does not order disclosure, make such inference in the trial of the accused as to the existence or non-existence of a fact, as may be appropriate in the circumstances.

Article 93
Other forms of cooperation
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.