Parliament approves bill on preventing pressure on business

16.11.2017 13:42

Ukrinform

The Verkhovna Rada has adopted a bill that envisages compulsory video recording of searches being conducted in the premises of business entities during a pre-trial investigation.

A total of 312 MPs voted in favor of bill No. 7275 on introducing amendments to certain legislative acts aimed at ensuring the observance of the rights of participants in criminal proceedings during a pre-trial investigation, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The adopted document reforms the procedure of search and seizure of things at enterprises during a pre-trial investigation and strengthens the protection of the rights of businesses.

The law provides for compulsory video recording of the search procedure. Video recordings will now constitute an integral part of the search protocol.

Also, a person in whose premises the search is being carried out will be entitled to the assistance of an advocate at any stage of a search.

Also, to protect the participants in criminal proceedings from unjustified seizure of documents and computer equipment, the adopted law obliges the prosecution to substantiate the need to seize the originals of documents or their copies from persons in whose premises a search is being conducted.

Also, law enforcement officers, in general, will be prohibited from seizing computer hardware, and they must make copies of any required data with the involvement of relevant experts.