In a session held on 17 September 2021 the Working group in charge of the establishment of the legal framework for combating illicit enrichment, discussed the possibilities for the introduction of non-conviction-based confiscation in Montenegrin legal system.

The Technical Paper “Analysis of the Asset Recovery system of Montenegro and proposal for further improvement”, developed within the framework of the EU/Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey Phase II – Action against Economic Crime in Montenegro (AEC-MNE), was presented during the session of the working group.

The participants were provided an overview of the development of the asset recovery system in Montenegro, its numerous challenges as well as a detailed analysis of the effectiveness of the current system. Key obstacles for efficient seizure and confiscation of illicit assets were identified and recommendations for improvement were provided. On this basis, the working group will proceed with the drafting of the amendments to the current Law on Seizure and Confiscation, which should enable the introduction of civil asset forfeiture in the Montenegrin legal system and offer to the stakeholders efficient instruments for depriving criminals and criminal networks of their assets.