Back Montenegrin police, prosecution and LEA strengthen capacities to trace illegal assets hidden through off-shore destinations and complex structures

Montenegrin police, prosecution and LEA strengthen capacities to trace illegal assets hidden through off-shore destinations and complex structures

The “Advanced training on asset tracing and identification based on available data“ was organized on 22-23 April 2019 in Kotor, Montenegro, for 30 representatives of prosecution, judiciary, police and law enforcement agencies. The training aimed at strengthening law enforcement and criminal justice capacities to track illicit financial flows through off-shore destinations and complex ownership structures thereby preventing and suppressing money-laundering practices. During the two days, participant discussed with the Council of Europe expert areas of special interest, including use of new financial instruments to launder proceeds of crime, the layering process and strategies of transit countries to supress such practices, and use of Internet based databases in financial investigations. The training also served as a platform for exchange of views among different agencies when it comes to exchange of data and performance of joint efforts. The participants had the opportunity to raise specific questions related to ongoing investigations and challenges they are facing in processing of cases, as well as to receive advice and guidance on new available tools and methods for addressing these challenges.

 

This activity was a follow-up to trainings previosly organised under the CoE/EU’s Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey – Action against Economic Crime in Montenegro (AEC-MNE).

 

Kotor, Montenegro 22 - 23 April 2019
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Action summary

The Action against Economic Crime in Montenegro (AEC-MNE) will aim to improve implementation of specific key recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL), and to further strengthen institutional capacities to counter and prevent corruption; money laundering; and the financing of terrorism in accordance with European standards.

The Action will focus on supporting the authorities in several directions including support for the strengthening of legislative and regulatory frameworks, institutional capacity building and support enhanced inter-agency and international co-operation.

This Action is part of the Council of Europe/European Union Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey.

Overall objective

The overall objective of the action is to contribute to democracy and the rule of law through prevention and control of economic crimes in Montenegro in accordance with European and other international standards.

Outcomes and expected outputs

Objective 1: Improve the legal framework to prevent corruption

Expected results:

  • Support to the implementation of legislation on prevention of corruption and political party financing through awareness raising and capacity building

Objective 2: Enhance capacities of Anti-corruption Agency (ACA)

Expected results:

  • A track record system of political parties funding controls is designed and available for the Authority
  • The capacities of the Anti-corruption Agency are enhanced in areas of its core functions including whistleblower protection, conflict of interest, political party financing and asset declarations
  • ACA has effective information exchange frameworks with competent authorities to undertake its control functions
  • Prepare and implement the curricula for MPs on ethics, integrity and prevention of conflict of interest
  • Provide guidelines and training to civil servants, law enforcement and judiciary on protection of whistleblowers in accordance with the national legislation and relevant CoE standards

Objective 3: Enhance capacities of law enforcement authorities, prosecution and judiciary in combating economic crime

Expected results:

  • Capacities and skills of the LEA/prosecution and judiciary in investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating corruption/ML/FT cases are enhanced
  • The regime of seized and confiscated corruption related assets is improved

Objective 4: Improve AML/CFT strategic planning and analysis mechanisms, and strengthen capacities of FIU and supervisory authorities

Expected results:

  • The internal procedures and methodology for the analytical process of the FIU are upgraded
  • FIU’s employees analytical skills are enhanced
  • AML/CFT supervisory authorities implement a risk-based supervisory approach in the MVTS and DNFBP sectors
  • Capacities of reporting entities to identify and monitor high-risk relationships are enhanced
  • AML/CFT capacities of the DNFBP sector are enhanced
  • An effectiveness-oriented national AML/CFT strategy is developed

This webpage has been produced using funds of a joint project between the European Union and the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.


 

  • Duration: 36 months - from 23 May 2016 to 23 May 2019
  • Beneficiaries/Partners: Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL)
  • Funding: The European Union and the Council of Europe
  • Budget: 650,000 EUR