The article is devoted to the study of the institution of property seizure in criminal proceedings in Ukraine and its impact on the guarantees of the inviolability of property rights. I analyse the current legislation, in particular the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine (hereinafter – «the CPC of Ukraine»), as well as the international standards of protection of property rights established by the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (hereinafter – «the ECHR», «the Court»). The article emphasises the importance of maintaining a balance between the public interest and the rights of the owner, and also discusses the key issues relating to the application of property confiscation. One of the most problematic aspects is the optional participation of the property owner in court proceedings related to the seizure of property, which contradicts the principles of adversarial proceedings, access to justice and proportionality of interference with property rights. The author draws attention to the lack of a clear definition of the concept of «restriction of property rights» in the CPC of Ukraine, as well as in doctrinal sources, and the absence of a mechanism to ensure effective protection of the rights of persons whose property is seized. This creates conditions for potential abuse by law enforcement agencies and violates the rights of property owners to peaceful enjoyment of their property. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of ECHR case law, which requires that any interference with property rights must be provided for by law, be in the public interest and ensure a fair balance between the interests of society and the individual. In particular, these aspects will be considered in the light of the ECHR’s position in Brumarescu v. Romania, Sporrong and Lennroth v. Sweden, and others, which establish that the imposition of an ‘excessive burden’ on the owner of property is contrary to the principle of proportionality.
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