b) In cases of terrorism, violent or highly-organized crimes, or where there is evidence to
substantiate the imminent commission of a criminal offence threatening the life or integrity of
any person.
4 - Where criminal police bodies undertake the search pursuant to the preceding paragraph:
a) In the situation provided for in point b), the investigation shall be promptly communicated
to the competent judicial authority, and assessed by the latter as far as the validation of the
measure is concerned, on pain of being deemed null and void;
b) In any other situation, the report provided for in article 253 of the Criminal Procedure Code
shall be drawn up and submitted to the competent judicial authority.
5 - Where, in the course of the search, there are grounds to believe that the data sought is
stored in another computer system or part of it, and such data is lawfully accessible from the
initial system, the search may be extended to the other system, by means of an authorization
or order from the competent authority, pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2.
6 – To the search referred to herein shall apply, duly adapted, the rules on execution of
searches provided for in the Criminal Procedure Code and in the Journalists Statute.
Article 16
Seizure of computer data
1 - Where, in the course of a computer system search, or of another legitimate means of
access to a computer system, computer data or documents necessary to the collection of
evidence, in order to uncover the truth, are found, the competent judicial authority shall
authorize or order the seizure thereof.
2 - Criminal police bodies are entitled to perform seizures, without any prior authorization
from the judicial authority, in the course a computer system search lawfully ordered and
executed pursuant to the preceding article, or where there is urgency or danger in delay.
3 - In case of seizure of computer data or documents the contents of which may disclose
personal or intimate data, thus hindering the privacy of the respective holder or of a third
party, on pain of being deemed null and void such data or documents shall be submitted to the
judge, who shall weight their attachment to the file, taking into account the interests of the
case.
4 - Seizures carried out by criminal police bodies shall always be validated by the judicial
authority, within at the most 72 hours.
5 - Seizures related to computer systems used for legal, medical and bank practises shall
comply with the rules and formalities provided for in the Criminal Procedure Code, duly
adapted, and those related to computer systems used by journalists shall comply with the rules
and formalities provided for in the Journalists Statute, duly adapted.
6 - The regime governing professional, staff and State secret information, provided for in
article 182 of the Criminal Procedure Code, shall apply, duly adapted.