Article 23. Applications for Recusal

In case there are grounds specified in articles 21 and 22 of this Code, the judge, prosecutor, expert, specialist, court secretary and translator shall be obliged to declare self-recusation. They may be challenged by the persons participating in the case on the same grounds. A challenge to a prosecutor, expert, specialist, court secretary, translator may also be considered on the initiative of the court.

Self-recusation or recusal must be motivated and declared before the start of the consideration of the case on the merits.

Applying self-recusation or recusal in the course of the consideration of the case shall be allowed only if the grounds for self-recusation or recusal became known to the person declaring self-recusation or recusal after the start of the consideration of the case on the merits.

A repeated recusal on the same grounds cannot be declared by the same person. In the event of an application for a repeated recusal, it shall not be considered.