PECULIARITIES OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DURING THE PRE-TRIAL INVESTIGATION OF CORRUPTION-RELATED CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Abstract

The article examines the peculiarities of international cooperation during the pre-trial investigation of corruptionrelated criminal offenses. The regulatory and legal framework governing international interaction in criminal proceedings, established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, international treaties, and special anti-corruption legislation, is analyzed. It is established that international cooperation in the field of combating corruption acquires particular importance in the context of the transnational nature of modern corruption schemes, the use of foreign jurisdictions to conceal assets, legalize illicit proceeds, and evade criminal liability. The paper characterizes the main forms of international cooperation during pre-trial investigation, including mutual legal assistance, establishment of joint investigation teams, extradition, international exchange of information, as well as tracing and seizure of assets abroad. Particular attention is paid to the procedural order of submitting and executing requests for international legal assistance, as well as to the role of the Office of the Prosecutor General, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, and other authorized subjects of international cooperation. It is determined that among the most common problems remain lengthy execution periods for international requests, difficulties in obtaining banking and financial information, differences in criminal procedural legislation of various states, as well as issues concerning the admissibility of evidence obtained through international legal assistance. The article also examines certain aspects of judicial practice regarding the assessment of evidence obtained within the framework of international cooperation and the importance of compliance with due legal procedure during its collection and use in criminal proceedings. It is concluded that there is a need to improve mechanisms of international interaction, digitalize information exchange, expand cooperation with international anti-corruption institutions, and further harmonize the criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine with international standards.