Collection of Evidence by the Armed Forces in a Combat Zone

Authors:

Pages: 285-292
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/KYRO9198

Abstract:

The use of armed forces to gather evidence for crimes with an international element is a new form of international cooperation. However, the extent to which data collected by armed forces in a combat zone can serve as evidence in national criminal proceedings, as well as how it can be included in evidentiary materials, should be resolved by national legislation. A number of European Union countries have already used such evidence in court proceedings. Nevertheless, according to the current Bulgarian Criminal Procedure Code, materials collected by national and foreign armed forces in combat zones can constitute written and material evidence only if they are collected again by the Bulgarian court and pre-trial authorities using the methods of proof as regulated by the Code.

Keywords:

armed conflict, armed forces, combat zone, criminal proceedings, evidence, memorandum.

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