(Sir Europe - Bratislava) - Ukrainian parliamentary deputies have defined categories of persons who cannot be interrogated as witnesses with regard to information received by them in the process of fulfillment of their professional responsibilities. They decided that along with lawyers, notaries and representatives of victims or plaintiffs, also priests and journalists cannot be witnesses in court in regard to confidential information with which they are trusted. This wording of Article 65 of the new Criminal Code of Ukraine has been supported by 259 votes. Therefore, priests cannot give evidence concerning information received during confession and journalists concerning confidential information of professional character given to them on condition of non-disclosure. According to the website http://liga.net[>>], they can be released from the responsibility to keep the professional secret. The release is to be given in written form and signed by the person who entrusted relevant information to them.

23/04/2012 -