Fiches Belges: Φινλανδία

Is this measure possible in your Member State under International Judicial Cooperation?

Yes. Generally, anyone but a party may appear as a witness in trial. As a rule, a witness may not refuse to testify except where the testimony might result in self-incrimination. Close relatives may not be compelled to testify against their will. Restrictions on privileged and confidential information apply. As a rule, a witness gives his initial statement during pre-trial investigation. The subsequent trial is based on the material accumulated during the pre-trial investigation. A witness must appear in court to testify. Failure to take the oath or to respond to a question may lead to imprisonment. False statement as a witness is a punishable act. Testifying anonymously is not possible yet.

International legal framework applicable for this measure in your Member State

Directive 2014/41/EU of 3 April 2014 regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters MLA 2000

* receive the request/decision for judicial cooperation

Pre-trial stage: National Bureau of Investigation. Trial stage: District Courts

* execute/recognise the measure (if other than the receiving authority)

Pre-trial investigation: investigator-in-charge, customs and frontier guard authorities. Trial stage: the court.

Accepted languages for the request/decision

N/A

Deadlines for the execution of the request/decision (where applicable)

N/A

a. Special requirements

N/A

b. Other useful information

A person other than the suspect may not be obliged to remain at the police station for more than six hours at a time. In pre-trial investigation a third person acting as a hearing witness shall be present during the hearing. If the interview cannot be delayed without endangering the investigation, the interview may be conducted without a hearing witness. In court the witness shall not refer to a written statement. He may, however, use notes as a memory aid. A person not speaking Finnish or Swedish has a right to an interpreter free of charge. If so requested, a Finnish prosecutor can be present at the court or/and present the questions to the person to be heard.