Law No. (6) of 2020 amends the Criminal Procedure Code in Qatar, focusing on international judicial cooperation and investigative powers. It updates articles related to mutual legal assistance, extradition, and introduces provisions for undercover operations in cases of money laundering and terrorism financing. The law aims to enhance the effectiveness of criminal investigations and cross-border legal collaboration.
Key requirements
- Qatari judicial authorities must cooperate with foreign judicial authorities in criminal matters, subject to reciprocity and applicable international agreements.
- Requests for mutual legal assistance from foreign authorities must be submitted to the Public Prosecutor in Arabic, including details of the requesting authority, facts, applicable legal texts, and identities of persons involved.
- Undercover operations, authorized by the Public Prosecutor, can be used to investigate money laundering, predicate offenses, and terrorism financing.
- Extradition is permissible if the crime is a felony or misdemeanor punishable by at least one year imprisonment in both Qatar and the requesting country, or if the person has been sentenced to at least six months imprisonment.
Applies to: Judicial authorities in the State of Qatar, Public Prosecutor, Courts