Complicity of a Special Kind (sui generis): Definition, Essence and Main Features

Abstract

The article pays attention to the definition of the concept and characteristics of complicity of a special kind (sui generis). On the basis of the main features inherent in such complicity it is concluded that the most dangerous organized forms of complicity such as organized group and criminal society (criminal organization) belong to the sui generis. Due to the fact that the very association of several persons into these criminal groups poses a serious public danger, the legislator considered it necessary to prohibit the creation of an organized group or a criminal community, their management and participation in them in special norms of the Special part of the Criminal Code of the RF: art. 205.4, 208, 209, 210, 282.1. The specificity of these norms on complicity lies in the fact that only they represent the characteristic features inherent in sui generis. The study reveals similarities between sui generis and the organizational criminal activity, the independent responsibility for which is also established in the articles of the Special part of the Criminal Code of the RF. Organizational criminal activity is a broader concept and includes responsibility for: 1) the organization of specific crimes or for the organization of illegal (destructive) activity (art. 110.2, part 4 art. 205.1, part 1 art. 212, part 1 art. 232, part 1 art. 241, art. 279, part 1 of art. 322.1 of the Criminal Code); 2) for the organization of the activities of various associations, in respect of which there is a decision on their liquidation (prohibition) or recognition as undesirable (articles 205.5, 239, 282.2, 284.1 of the Criminal Code).