WBS GmbH (Judicial cooperation in criminal matters - European Investigation Order - Concept of 'other competent authority acting in its capacity as an investigating authority in criminal proceedings' - Judgment)

( Reference for a preliminary ruling - Judicial cooperation in criminal matters - European Investigation Order (EIO) - Directive 2014/41/EU - Article 2(c)(ii) - Concept of 'other competent authority acting in its capacity as an investigating authority in criminal proceedings' - Competence to order the gathering of evidence in accordance with national law - Search measures requiring the authorisation of an investigating judge - Article 6(1) and (2) - Conditions for issuing an EIO )

REQUEST for a preliminary ruling under Article 267 TFEU from the Kammergericht Berlin (Higher Regional Court, Berlin, Germany), made by decision of 20 October 2023, received at the Court on 23 October 2023, in the proceedings relating to the recognition and execution of a European Investigation Order concerning

composed of K. Jürimäe (Rapporteur), President of the Chamber, K. Lenaerts, President of the Court, acting as Judge of the Second Chamber, M. Gavalec, Z. Csehi and F. Schalin, Judges,

having regard to the written procedure and further to the hearing on 13 November 2024,

– the German Government, by J. Möller, M. Hellmann, A. Sahner and J. Simon, acting as Agents,