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2012-4 E.C.R. 1 (2012)

handle is hein.intyb/rcbjcofi0335 and id is 1 raw text is: 





  ZReports of Cases




                                      Case C-83/12 PPU

                                    Criminal proceedings
                                           against
                                       Minh Khoa Vo


                  (Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesgerichtshof)


   (Area of freedom, security and justice - Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 - Community Code on
Visas - Articles 21 and 34 - National legislation - Third-country nationals brought illegally into the
    territory of a Member State - Visas obtained by fraud - Criminal penalties imposed on the
                                       human smuggler)


                                   Summary of the Judgment

1.  Questions referred for a preliminary ruling- Urgent preliminary ruling procedure - Conditions -
    Person sentenced to a term of imprisonment and remanded in custody, the continuation of remand
    dependent on the Court's answer

    (Rules of Procedure of the Court of Justice, Art. 104b)

2. Border controls, asylum and immigration -   Visas policy - Community Code on Visas (Visa
    Code) -Regulation No 810/2009

    (European Parliament and Council Regulation No 810/2009, Arts 21 and 34)

1. A request by a referring court for a reference for a preliminary ruling to be dealt with under the
urgent procedure provided for under Article 104b of the Rules of Procedure is well founded when the
applicant in the main proceedings, who has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of four years
and three months for assisting illegal immigration for financial gain as a member of an organised
gang, has been remanded in custody, without interruption, and when, depending on the Court's
answer, he could no longer be the subject of criminal prosecution and his detention would therefore
have no legal basis.

                                                                             (see paras 31, 32)

2. Articles 21 and 34 of Regulation No 810/2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)
are to be interpreted as meaning that they do not preclude national provisions under which assisting
illegal immigration constitutes an offence subject to criminal penalties in cases in which the persons
smuggled, third-country nationals, hold visas which they obtained fraudulently by deceiving the
competent authorities of the Member State of issue as to the true purpose of their journey, without
prior annulment of those visas.

                                                                   (see para. 48, operative part)


ECL:EU:C:2012:202