Volobuyev A. Simultaneous interrogation of several already interrogated persons in investigative and jurisprudence

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33098/2078-6670.2025.19.31.304-310

The purpose of the article is to determine the place and role of the simultaneous interrogation of several already interrogated persons among the means of establishing the reasons for discrepancies in their testimonies during the pre-trial investigation and trial. Methodology. To achieve the specified goal, an analysis of national criminal procedural legislation, investigative and judicial practice, and scientific publications on problematic issues of conducting simultaneous interrogation of several already interrogated persons was conducted. Methods. Dialectical, historical, comparative legal, logical-semantic and other methods of scientific research were used to identify contradictions in the legal regulation of simultaneous interrogation of previously interrogated persons. The practice of conducting it during pre-trial investigation and trial was analyzed. Findings. The conclusions are formulated that the legislator excluded face-to-face questioning from the system of individual investigative actions due to the widespread practice of its use to obtain evidence of the prosecution in violation of the rights of the defense. However, the right of the investigator and prosecutor to conduct face-to-face interrogations of previously interrogated persons at the initial stage of the pre-trial investigation, when the defense is absent (before the notification of suspicion), was retained. This created the basis for abuse of the right to exert psychological influence on witnesses and victims in order to agree on their testimonies. The prosecution often uses this opportunity to obtain agreed testimonies to substantiate the accusation. The defense is often deprived of the opportunity to participate in the simultaneous interrogation of previously interrogated persons during the pre-trial investigation. Originality. For the first time, the negative consequences of conducting simultaneous interrogation of several already interrogated persons at the initial stage of the investigation without the participation of the defense party have been identified. It is proposed to transfer the right of the parties to criminal proceedings to conduct such interrogation exclusively to the stage of trial (it is proposed to exclude Part 9 of Article 224 of the Code of Criminal Procedure). Practical significance. The formulated provisions and recommendations are aimed at harmonizing national criminal procedural legislation with the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950. This will avoid complications during pre-trial investigation and trial and optimize the activities of pre-trial investigation bodies and courts of all instances.

Key words: simultaneous interrogation, face-to-face betting, psychological impact, human rights, evidence for the prosecution, judicial interrogation.

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