1 If there are grounds to assume that a witness, a person providing information, an accused person, an expert witness or a translator or interpreter, or a person related to him or her in terms of Article 168 paragraphs 1–3 could be exposed to a serious danger to life and limb or any other serious prejudice by participating in the proceedings, the director of proceedings shall take the appropriate protective measures in response to an application or ex officio.
2 The director of proceedings may also suitably restrict the procedural rights of the parties, in particular by:
- a.
- ensuring anonymity;
- b.
- conducting examination hearings while excluding parties or the public;
- c.
- establishing personal details while excluding parties or the public;
- d.
- modifying the appearance or voice of the person requiring protection or screening the person from the court;
- e.
- limiting rights to inspect case documents.
3 The director of proceedings may permit the person requiring protection to be accompanied by a legal agent or a confidant.
4 If a person under the age of 18 is interviewed as a witness or person providing information, the director of proceedings may order further protective measures in accordance with Article 154 paragraphs 2 and 4.
5 The director of proceedings shall ensure in the case of all protective measures that the right of the parties to be heard is respected and in particular that the accused's rights to a proper defence are respected.
6 If the person requiring protection has been assured that his or her anonymity will be preserved, the director of proceedings shall take appropriate measures to prevent any confusion or mistaken identity.