Published on 17 March 2025
 
THIRD SECTION
Application no. 34789/23
Jasmina PUNDA
against Serbia
lodged on 12 September 2023
communicated on 24 February 2025
SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASE
The application concerns the compliance with the principle of ne bis in idem.
On 5 October 2012, the Smederevo Police Directorate filed a criminal complaint against the applicant, alleging the smuggling of a quantity of diesel fuel. This complaint was subsequently dismissed by the Smederevo Public Prosecutor’s Office on 18 July 2013.
Subsequently, the Smederevo Misdemeanour Court, in proceedings based on the same set of facts, convicted the applicant and imposed a fine for a minor offence on 7 May 2018. This judgment was later upheld by the Appellate Misdemeanour Court on 30 August 2018. The applicant’s constitutional appeal was dismissed by the Constitutional Court in its decision of 19 May 2023.
The applicant complains that her conviction in the misdemeanour proceedings, following her prior acquittal in criminal proceedings, amounted to a violation of the principle of ne bis in idem. She relies on Article 4 of Protocol No. 7 to the Convention.
QUESTION TO THE PARTIES
Has the applicant been tried twice for the same offence contrary to Article 4 § 1 of Protocol No. 7 to the Convention (see Mihalache v. Romania [GC], no. 54012/10, §§ 87-98, 8 July 2019)?
 
The Government are invited to submit complete copies of the case files concerning the criminal and misdemeanour proceedings against the applicant.