The Principle of the Presumption of Innocence in the System of Fundamental Principles of Law and in International Regulations

The article comprehensively analyzes the principle of the presumption of innocence, approached both as a fundamental subjective right and as an indispensable procedural guarantee of a fair criminal trial. The study highlights the historical and theoretical foundations of this principle, as well as its consecration in the relevant international documents – in particular the European Convention on human rights and Directive (EU) 2016/343 – and in the national legislation of the Republic of Moldova. In this context, the normative and jurisprudential substance of the presumption of innocence is examined, with an emphasis on its implications for the burden of proof, the application of the in dubio pro reo standard, respect for the right to silence and the privilege against self-incrimination. At the same time, the research analyzes the incidence of the principle in the phases of the criminal process, as well as the impact of the public discourse of the authorities on the image of innocence of the accused person.