Article 166. Participation in court session by means of videoconferencing systems

The persons participating in the case and persons assisting in administration of justice are entitled to participate in a court session by means of videoconferencing systems.

The ruling on the preparation of the case for court proceedings shall indicate the right of persons to participate in the court session by means of videoconferencing systems; and this ruling shall be sent to the persons participating in the case, persons assisting in the administration of justice, and the relevant court, with the assistance of which the stated persons can participate in the session by means of videoconferencing systems.

To ensure the participation of the persons participating in the case in a court session via video conferencing, the video conferencing systems of the relevant courts at the place of residence, location, or whereabouts of the said persons, or the mobile video conferencing system of the court hearing the case, shall be utilized.

The court, assisting in the conduct of the court session by means of videoconferencing systems, shall ensure the sending of powers of attorney certifying the powers of representatives of the persons participating in the case and persons assisting in administration of justice, as well as the evidence presented in the session to the court considering the case.

The fact that witnesses, experts, specialists, and interpreters participating in a court session via video conferencing have been explained their rights, duties, and liabilities shall be recorded by audio and video recording and shall be indicated in the minutes of the court session.

The right of persons participating in a case and persons assisting in administration of justice to participate in a court session by means of videoconferencing systems may be exercised in court sessions of first, appellate, cassation and supervisory instances.