An online meeting to present the main findings and recommendations of the Review of legal and operational frameworks of the Kosovo Agency for Administration of Sequestrated or Confiscated Assets (AMSCA) was organised on 29 April 2021. The meeting is organised within the framework of the Project against Economic Crime in Kosovo* (PECK III).
Ms Hanne Juncher, Head of the Action against Crime Department, Executive Secretary of GRECO, opened the meeting by welcoming the participants and by highlighting the deterrent and preventive effects confiscation of criminal proceeds has in the fight against economic crimes. She also emphasised the importance of considering the introduction of Non-Conviction Based Confiscation in Kosovo in view of a current initiative in this regard. She pointed that the adoption of such legislation should be done by taking into account the applicable Council of Europe and international standards and requirements in terms of procedural safeguards and fair trial standards, including the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
Mr Blerim Sallahu, Deputy Minister of Justice, welcomed the assessment of AMSCA and noted that the support provided by PECK III Project in the area of confiscation and sequestration is in line with Government and the Ministry of Justice priorities.
The key to fight corruption and organised crime is by tackling the economic power of criminals and returning those assets to the state budget, highlighted the Chief State Prosecutor Mr Aleksandër Lumezi in his speech and welcomed the support provided within PECK III on this matter.
Mr Riccardo Serri, Deputy Head of EU Special Representative and Mr Enver Peci, Head of Supreme Court also addressed the event and highlighted the necessity to pursue efforts in this regard.
In the 2nd session of this event the Council of Europe experts presented the main findings including an analysis of the legal, institutional and operational shortcomings and in addition outlined capacity building needs related to the functioning and operations of AMSCA. PECK III project will further support the authorities to address the needs based on the findings and recommendations of the assessment.
