Fifty-one professionals from Albania, including prosecutors, investigators, border police and representatives of the Customs Directorate and of the Financial Intelligence Agency enhanced their capacities to investigate complex money laundering cases during two regional trainings, organised in Vlora and Shkodra from 9 to 12 June 2026.
The regional trainings were designed to strengthen the capacity of prosecutors, investigators and other relevant authorities to effectively conduct proactive financial investigations alongside money laundering investigations. Through expert-led presentations, practical case studies and interactive discussions, participants enhanced their understanding of financial investigation techniques, and deepened their ability to utilize financial intelligence, identify complex money laundering typologies, trace and recover illicit assets and develop robust financial evidence to support successful prosecutions. The trainings also provided a valuable platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices, fostering greater regional cooperation in combating money laundering and related financial crimes.
Particular attention was devoted to detecting financial red flags, addressing practical challenges arising within the Albanian legal framework and drawing lessons from previous investigations and prosecutions. The events also promoted stronger inter-institutional cooperation among law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial authorities and financial intelligence bodies, which is essential for the successful detection, investigation and prosecution of money laundering offences.
These activities were delivered with the active engagement and support of the Albanian School of Magistrates and form part of the Council of Europe’s continued support to Albanian authorities in aligning with international standards and improving the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and prosecute economic and financial crime.
The events were organised with the joint support of the Action against Economic Crime in Albania, implemented under the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, and the project “Countering Money Laundering in Albania”, co-financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.