Obtaining testimony via video conference calls from classified persons during criminal proceedings

Introduction. This article discusses the features of obtaining the testimony of classified witnesses using video conferencing in pre-trial and judicial proceedings in a criminal case.

Materials and methods. Published works on research issues served the theoretical basis. The use of the formal legal method made it possible to identify the features of obtaining such testimony.

Analysis. Attention is drawn to the inconsistency of legislative prescriptions regulating the procedure for questioning a classified witness at a preliminary investigation. It is noted that strict compliance with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Law on mandatory video recording of the videoconferencing and the provision of all materials of the criminal case to the accused and his defender at the end of the preliminary investigation (inquiry) negate the efforts spent on the adoption and implementation of appropriate security measures. The author substantiates the impossibility and inadmissibility of obtaining testimony from a classified person using video conferencing during a confrontation, based on the essential features of this investigative action. The content of the concept of “personal data” is analyzed, including from the standpoint of correlation with the concept of “personal data” in relation to the procedural security measure provided for in Part 9 of Article 166 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation. From the standpoint of fulfilling the requirements of the adversarial principle, ensuring the right to defense and maintaining the balance of interests of the parties, the current judicial practice of obtaining witness testimony in conditions that exclude their visual observation by participants in the trial is critically considered.

Results. The author presents his own vision of solving the problem of obtaining testimony in the courtroom from a witness against whom security measures were applied during the preliminary investigation. Other proposals have also been formulated to improve the current legislation and law enforcement on the issues under consideration. 

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