Criminal Code of the Republic of Ukraine
(English Version)
CRIMINAL CODE OF UKRAINE
(This Code enters into force on September 1, 2001)
GENERAL PART
Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Objectives of the Criminal Code of Ukraine
1. The objective of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is to provide legal protection of the rights
and liberties of the human being and citizen, property, public order and public safety, the
environment, and the constitutional order of Ukraine against criminal encroachments, to
secure peace and safety of mankind, and also to prevent crime.
2. To this aim, the Criminal Code defines which socially dangerous acts or omissions count as
offenses, and which punishments are to be imposed upon persons who commit them.
Article 2. Grounds for criminal liability
1. Commission by a person of a socially dangerous act that has such elements of crime as
created by this Code gives grounds for criminal liability.
2. A person is deemed innocent of a crime and may not be criminally punished until his/her
guilt is legally proven and found by a lawful sentence.
3. No person may be prosecuted more than once for one and the same offense.
Chapter II. LAW ON CRIMINAL LIABILITY
Article 3. Ukrainian legislation on criminal liability
1. The Criminal Code of Ukraine, based on the Constitution of Ukraine and generally
recognized principles and rules of international law, shall be the Ukrainian legislation on
criminal liability.
2. The Ukrainian laws on criminal liability, adopted after the entry of this Code into force,
shall be incorporated in this Code following its entry into force.
3. The criminality of any act and also its punishability and other criminal consequences shall
be determined exclusively by this Code.
4. Application of the law on criminal liability by analogy shall be prohibited.
5. The laws of Ukraine on criminal liability must be consistent with provisions of existing
international treaties, consent for the binding effect of which has been granted by the
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Article 4. Operation of the law on criminal liability in time