MOSCOW, November 17 (RAPSI) – Courts of general jurisdiction should not convict people only on the basis of a guilty plea by a defendant in the case, according to a draft prepared by the plenum of the Supreme Court of Russia "On the verdict”.

The court noted that: “Guilty plea, unless it is confirmed by a set of other evidence collected in the case, can’t serve as the basis for a guilty verdict. By virtue of the principle of presumption of innocence, the conviction can’t be based on assumptions, and all doubt in the prosecution of evidence, including its individual components, is to be treated in favor of a defendant”.

The Court also explained that even during cases reviewed under special circumstances, when a defendant admits guilt and the process takes place in a shortened form, the judge should also make sure that the charges which defendant agreed with accusation is justified and supported by evidence.