Fiches Belges: Croatia

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

Witnesses (persons likely to reveal something about the criminal offence, the perpetrator and other important circumstances) are summoned to an interrogation by a writ specifying that a person is summoned as a witness, the criminal case for which he is summoned and the consequences of his unexcused absence from the interrogation (forcible presentation and/or fine). It is the duty of a witness to respond to the summons. If a duly summoned witness fails to appear and does not justify his absence or if he leaves without authorisation or justifiable reason the place where he is to testify, the court may issue a warrant for compulsory appearance.

International legal framework applicable for this measure in your Member State

European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters signed in 1959

* receive the request/decision for judicial cooperation

Ministry of Justice

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

County courts

Accepted languages for the request/decision

Letters rogatory for mutual assistance and annexed documents shall be accompanied by a translation into the Croatian language or, if not possible, into the English language.

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

N/A

a. Special requirements

The Republic of Croatia declared that service of a summons on a person residing in the Croatian territory must be transmitted to the competent Croatian judicial authorities no less than 30 days before the date set for appearance.

b. Other useful information

Additionally see Articles 169 - 177 of Criminal Procedure Code