III LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

Postponement of Granting Request Made by the International Criminal Court

Article 17

The Ministry may postpone to grant a letter rogatory for providing legal assistance to the International Criminal Court when it is dictated by :

1) the interest of the criminal proceeding conducted in the Republic of Serbia for the criminal offence included in the letter rogatory,
2) the protection of national interests and security of the Republic of Serbia,
3) an objection made to incompetence or inadmissibility to institute or conduct criminal proceedings before the International Criminal Court.

The postponement of granting the letter rogatory for providing legal assistance may be extended not later than the final completion of the criminal proceeding conducted in the Republic of Serbia for the criminal offence included in the letter rogatory or until required measures are undertaken to protect the national interests of the Republic of Serbia, i.e. until a ruling is passed on the objection made to incompetence or inadmissibility to institute or conduct criminal proceedings before the International Criminal Court.

Article 94
Postponement of execution of a request in respect of ongoing investigation or prosecution
1. If the immediate execution of a request would interfere with an ongoing investigation or prosecution of a case different from that to which the request relates, the requested State may postpone the execution of the request for a period of time agreed upon with the Court. However, the postponement shall be no longer than is necessary to complete the relevant investigation or prosecution in the requested State. Before making a decision to postpone, the requested State should consider whether the assistance may be immediately provided subject to certain conditions.
2. If a decision to postpone is taken pursuant to paragraph 1, the Prosecutor may, however, seek measures to preserve evidence, pursuant to article 93, paragraph 1 (j).

Article 95
Postponement of execution of a request in respect of an admissibility challenge
Where there is an admissibility challenge under consideration by the Court pursuant to article 18 or 19, the requested State may postpone the execution of a request under this Part pending a determination by the Court, unless the Court has specifically ordered that the Prosecutor may pursue the collection of such evidence pursuant to article 18 or 19.