Bykov, V.M. Freedom of evaluation of evidence in the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation.

Abstract: In this article V.M. Bykov studies novel features of the Criminal procedural code of the Russian Federation of 2001, which are related to the evaluation of evidence. The author casts light on the contradictions between the novel features and the provisions of the Code prohibiting to give the eveidence pre-set value. V.M. Bykov is critical of the legislative idea of recognising freedom of evaluation of evidence as a principle of the criminal procedure (Art. 17 of the CPC of the RF). He also studies the problems, relating to the evaluation of evidence based on the judge’s conviction within the pre-trial procedure, offers to introduce a number of amendments to the CPC of the RF in order to solve existing problems and to improve criminal procedural law.