Combating organized crime in South-east Europe Improving asset recovery measures to combat transnational organized crime in South-Eastern Europe Up-to-date information can be found at osce.org/projects/asset-recovery-in-south-eastern-europe
The OSCE is implementing a the strength and effectiveness of their public institutions. the Permanent Conference of Organized Crime Prosecutor’s cross-dimensional project to Who are the Offices with the aim of increas- ing information-sharing and to strengthen the fight against beneficiaries of the facilitate regional co-operation project? in cross -border investigations transnational organized crime and and in the management of The project aims to enhance seized and confiscated assets. corruption in South-Eastern the capacities of the judiciary, relevant law enforcement Given the importance the Europe through improved capacity institutions, asset management project attaches to the social agencies, and civil society re-use of confiscated assets, building and regional co-operation organizations. It also provides a platform will be created for
in the seizure of proceeds of operational support to regional co-operation mechanisms policy-makers and civil society in the region to discuss crime, including financial assets. such as the Balkan Asset national experiences and identify good practices in the Management Interagency Network (BAMIN) and the management of confiscated The most effective way to How is the project Permanent Conference of assets. Good practices in the disrupt or dissolve all forms of structured? Organized Crime Prosecutor’s social re-use of assets will also serious and organized crime Offices. be promoted through aware- is to confiscate the revenues The project adopts a compre- ness-raising and other public from criminal activities, since hensive approach to asset What are the main outreach activities. organized criminal groups recovery by providing support activities? survive and thrive through illicit to the entire cycle of asset seizure and asset confiscation. What will be the financial gains. The project is carrying out an It includes three areas of analysis of judicial decisions in project outcomes? This project aims at improving intervention: asset seizure cases.The • Increased use and the fight against transnational • Financial investigations, findings and recommendations effectiveness of asset organized crime and corruption assets seizure and asset will be used in training courses seizure and confiscation, in the OSCE region by enhanc- confiscation for judges and prosecutors on including through ing regional co-operation • Asset management how to improve the application enhanced regional among five OSCE participating • Asset re-use of asset recovery measures. co-operation. States: Albania, Bosnia and The project promotes the social The project has also designed • Increased efficiency and Herzegovina, North Macedo- re-use of assets confiscated an online training and cost- effectiveness of nia, Montenegro and Serbia, from criminal groups and mentoring programme to asset management, and by building their capacities corrupt practices. Not only prepare national officials from including through in this area. does the re-use of assets police and prosecution services improved regional co- The project is implemented by return to society what was to become internationally operation when assets the OSCE’s Transnational taken from it, such an approach qualified as Certified Fraud are located abroad. Threats Department and the can be used to create sustain- Examiners (CFE) or as interna- • Increased social re-use of Office of the Co-ordinator of able businesses, employment tionally certified Anti-Money confiscated assets and Economic and Environmental opportunities, and help to Laundering Specialists (CAMS). enhanced public engage- Activities, in close co-operation improve the business climate. ment and awareness of with the OSCE field operations Most importantly the social Operational support is also social re-use benefits in and governmental and re-use of assets sends a provided to Financial combating corruption non-governmental institutions. strong signal to citizens about Investigative Units, BAMIN, and and organized crime.
OSCE Secretariat Transnational Threats Department & Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities Wallnerstrasse 6, 1010 Vienna, Austria