The investigation centers play a key role in the successful enforcement of asset confiscation. They identify the flow of money, participate in investigative actions, collect evidence and work under the direction of the public prosecutors. Their lack of necessary resources and professional capacities significantly affects the quality of financial investigations and confiscation of assets, in view of their operational role. The biggest issues in the implementation of the confiscation, that is, the collection of evidence, monitoring of the flow of money, etc. are precisely in the area of work of the investigative centers. This lack of functionality makes it impossible to effectively implement the confiscation measure, but also to prevent the use of assets for criminal activities, which significantly affects the success of the fight against corruption as a whole
Hence, strengthening the capacities of the investigative centers is key to successful enforcement of the asset confiscation and the fight against corruption. In order to achieve the objectives of the Strategy for strengthening the capacities for conducting financial investigations and confiscation of assets, steps should be taken as soon as possible to staff the investigation centers with the appropriate number and profile of personnel. In addition to the necessary recruitments, it is important that the personnel in the investigation centers is prepared to independently conduct each part of the financial investigation. In that direction, investments in further education and professional training of the personnel are needed in order for them to acquire the necessary skills and expertise.
Read the policy brief here:
Insufficient capacities for a necessary confiscation of illicitly acquired assets