The working group established for the development of the legal framework on non-conviction based confiscation continued its work with sessions held on 12-14 July and 23-25 August 2021, supported by the European Union/Council of Europe Action against Economic Crime.
During the working group meeting that took place in July 2021 the appropriate model for the introduction of a non-conviction based confiscation was identified and an outline of the proposed legal framework was elaborated.
Following the agreement on the overall model for amending the legal framework, the drafting of the legal proposal continued in Skopje in August. The Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia responsible for fighting corruption reiterated authorities’ commitment to building an effective system for targeting illicit enrichment. During the 3-day meeting the working group agreed on the responsible institution for implementing the law and the relevant procedures, and prepared an initial draft of the NCBC legislation.
The working group consists of experienced professionals from the Financial Intelligence Office, the Financial Police, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, the cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for fight against corruption, the Public Revenue Office, State Attorney, as well as a judge from the Civil Court and the Chief Prosecutor for Organised Crime and Corruption, the President of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption and the head of the Asset Recovery Office.
The working group is expected to finalise during its next meeting the draft law which will be reviewed by the Action. Based on the comments and recommendations of the Action against Economic Crime, the authorities will revise the legal proposal prior to presenting the bill to Parliament.
These activities are organised and funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey” phase II.