Case C‑505/20

Proceedings brought by RR and JG

(Request for a preliminary ruling
from the Spetsializiran nakazatelen sad)

Judgment of the Court (Eighth Chamber) of 12 May 2022

(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Judicial cooperation in criminal matters – Freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the European Union – Directive 2014/42/EU – Article 4 – Confiscation – Article 7 – Freezing – Article 8 – Procedural safeguards – Freezing and confiscation of property belonging to a third party to the criminal proceedings – National law not providing a remedy for third parties during the judicial proceedings and not allowing the return of the property until the end of criminal proceedings)

1. Judicial cooperation in criminal matters – Freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the European Union – Directive 2014/42 – Fundamental rights – Right to an effective remedy

   (Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 47; European Parliament and Council Directive 2014/42, Art. 8(1))

   (see paragraphs 24, 33, 34, 37, 38, operative part 1)

2. Judicial cooperation in criminal matters – Freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the European Union – Directive 2014/42 – National law not permitting the confiscation of property belonging to a bone fide third party and used as an instrumentality

   (European Parliament and Council Directive 2014/42, Arts 4 to 6)

   (see paragraphs 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, operative part 2)

See the text of the decision.