Self-denunciation as an instrument for discovering and preventing corruption crimes

This scientific study examines the institution of self-reporting in the criminal law of the Republic of Moldova, with a focus on its role in the prevention and combating of corruption offenses. In a context marked by the difficulty of detecting corruption crimes due to their concealed nature, the authors convincingly argue that self-reporting emerges as an essential reporting instrument, enabling criminal prosecution bodies to gain access to information that would otherwise be unattainable. The study analyzes the domestic and international legal framework - including the provisions of the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption - highlighting the cumulative conditions required for self-reporting to produce legal effects, both in terms of initiating proceedings and the potential effect of exemption from criminal liability. Special attention is paid to the requirement of voluntariness, assessed through the prism of internal and external motivational factors and the timing of the self-report. The article also addresses the procedural implications of self-reporting, including the obligation of audiovideo recording and the consequences arising from non-compliance with the legal requirements for documenting a self-reporting statement. The general conclusion emphasizes the dual nature of self-reporting - as a means of procedural cooperation and an instrument of criminal policy - as well as the need to maintain procedural safeguards in order to prevent abuses and ensure the effectiveness of this institution within the public integrity system.