Artikel 17

1. Without prejudice to its domestic law, a State Party may, without prior request, transmit information relating to the crimes to which it applies this Convention to another State Party where the former State Party believes that such information could assist the latter State Party in undertaking or successfully concluding inquiries and criminal proceedings, or could result in a request formulated by the latter State Party in accordance with this Convention. Without prejudice to more favorable conditions in other legal instruments, the spontaneous exchange of information shall take place through the competent authorities of the States Parties concerned.
2. The transmission of information pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be without prejudice to inquiries and criminal proceedings in the providing State Party.
3. The competent authorities receiving the information shall comply with a request of the providing State Party that the information remain confidential, even temporarily, or with restrictions on its use.
4. Notwithstanding paragraph 3, the receiving State Party may disclose in its proceedings information that is exculpatory to an accused person. In such case, the receiving State Party shall notify the providing State Party prior to the disclosure and, if so requested, consult with the providing State Party. If, in an exceptional case, advance notice is not possible, the receiving State Party shall inform the providing State Party of the disclosure without delay.
5. Upon the request of the providing State Party the information transmitted shall not be used as evidence in criminal proceedings before a request for mutual legal assistance has been granted.