OSCE facilitates exchange on asset recovery between German Federal Criminal Police Office and Serbian Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime

Prosecutors working on organized crime and asset recovery cases in Serbia and a judge from the Belgrade High Court visited the German Federal Criminal Police Office in Wiesbaden for a study visit on 24 and 25 January.

The visit contributed to strengthening cross-border co-operation in the fight against transnational organized crime and corruption between the interested parties by exchange of experience and operational information on asset recovery cases, especially those of transnational nature that involve tracing, seizure and confiscation of criminal assets located in foreign jurisdictions. Participants also discussed their practices on cross-border tracing of illicit financial flows and seizure of cryptocurrencies.

Familiarity with the main legal aspects of the country where criminal assets are located can facilitate the proper submission of requests for international assistance, through both formal and informal channels, and lead to swift feedback.

This activity was facilitated by the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) as part of the Strengthening the fight against transnational organized crime in South-Eastern Europe through improved regional co-operation in asset seizure, confiscation, management and re-use project. Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States financially support this regional initiative.