Fiches Belges

Spontaneous exchange of information is a possible measure according to the Bulgarian legislation under international judicial cooperation on grounds of the application of the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member-States of the European Union of 29 May 2000. The measure is not explicitly regulated under the Bulgarian Criminal Procedure Code but there is not any impediment information about committed crimes or crimes in course of commitment to be provided to another state in conformity to the requirements of the EU MLA Convention 2000 or another international agreement to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party.

The Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member-States of the European Union of 29 May 2000 (some conditions may be defined with regard to the use of provided information).

The competent authorities to apply the measure are the respective local District/Regional Prosecution offices.

On grounds of the application of the EU MLA Convention 2000, the information should be sent to the competent authorities translated into Bulgarian or one of the official languages of the Council of Europe. With regard to promptness and efficiency, it is recommended the information to be accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian.

A specific deadline is not envisaged for the application of the measure.

The spontaneous exchange of information is possible as far as it does not contradict the provisions of the national legislation, referring to the nature of the information provided – for example in cases of classified information.