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Spotlight CoE Opens New Convention on Environmental Crime for Signature
On 3 December 2025, the Council of Europe opened the Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law (CETS No. 228) for signature, marking a significant step in the development of international legal tools to address environmental crime. The new convention seeks to strengthen criminal justice responses to serious environmental harm and promote closer cooperation between states in the investigation and prosecution of such offences. Read more
Dr. Anna Pingen
Thomas Wahl
Council of Europe
Environmental Crime
Overview of the Latest DMA Developments : November 2025 – February 2026
This overview continues regular reports in eucrim on the current developments in the implementation of the Digital Markets Act, the EU's legislative framework to ensure contestable and fair markets in the digital sector regulating gatekeepers. Read more
EU
Legislation
Digital Space Regulation
EPPO College Partial Renewal in 2026
On 11 February 2026, the Council appointed two new European Prosecutors to the EPPO: Jennifer Vanderputten for Belgium and Pavel Zeman for the Czech Republic. Jennifer Vanderputten has been European Delegated Prosecutor and EPPO's coordinator for the Brussels office. She is also a specialised lawyer … Read more
Cornelia Riehle LL.M.
EU
European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)
Andrés Ritter Succeeds Laura Kövesi as European Chief Prosecutor
This news item informs of the appointment and selection process of the new European Chief Prosecutor at the EPPO. The European Parliament and the Council agreed that German European Prosecutor Andrés Ritter will succeed Laura Kövesi whose mandate will end at the end of October 2026. Read more
EU
European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)
Operation Alice Exposes Fraudulent CSAM Platform
On 9 March 2026, a global operation led by German law enforcement authorities and supported by Europol targeted a major dark web network known as "Alice with Violence CP". Taking place from 9 to 19 March across 23 countries, the operation initially focused on the … Read more
EU
Europol
Cybercrime
Law Enforcement Cooperation
JIT to Focus on Deportation of Ukrainian Children
At the beginning of March 2026, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on alleged core international crimes in Ukraine, established in March 2022 (➝ eucrim 1/2024, pp. 8–9), had its mandate extended by another two years. The aim of the JIT is to facilitate … Read more
EU
Ukraine conflict
Eurojust
Organised Crime
Judicial Cooperation
Victim Protection
Overview of the Latest Developments Under the Digital Services Act: November 2025 - February 2026
This news item continues the reporting on the latest DSA developments by giving a chronological overview. It covers the period from November 2025 to February 2026. For overviews of previous developments → related links. Read more
EU
Digital Space Regulation
Europol Executive Director: Procedure and Timeline for the 2026 Appointment
On 17 February 2026, Europol published a vacancy notice for the position of Executive Director. The current Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle (→eucrim 2/2022, 100), has held the office since 1 May 2018, with her mandate due to end on 1 May … Read more
EU
Europol
EU Reactions to Russian War against Ukraine: Overview End of November 2025 – February 2026
This news item continues the reporting on key EU/CoE reactions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022: the impact on the protection of the EU’s financial interests, on the EU’s internal security policy, and on criminal law. It covers the period from November 2025 to February 2026 and follows up the overview in eucrim 2/2025, 114-118. Read more
EU
Ukraine conflict
Europol Clarifies Role in Data Sharing and SIS Alerts
In response to a media article suggesting that information shared via Europol may have been linked to subsequent security measures (including entry bans) in the Schengen Information System (SIS) concerning former Ukrainian prisoners held in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, Europol published a fact check on 20 … Read more
EU
Schengen
Ukraine conflict
Europol
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Data Protection
Spotlight Illicit Trafficking of Firearms: New Legislative Proposal
On 26 February 2026, the European Commission presented a proposal for an EU Directive on combating firearms trafficking and other firearms-related offences. The initiative proposes common definitions of criminal offences and penalties. It also includes a component on strengthening cross-border cooperation by National Firearms Focal Points. Read more
EU
Legislation
Europol
Customs Cooperation
Publication on Strengthening the Future of the EPPO
Compiling contributions from academics, legal practitioners, and officials from public authorities, the collective book "Strengthening the Future of the European Public Prosecutor's Office" is available open access in the library of publisher Nomos. The contributions build on discussions held during workshops at the Villa … Read more
EU
European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)
New Parliament-Commission Framework Agreement
On 11 March 2026, the European Parliament (EP) approved a revised Framework Agreement between the EP and the European Commission. The revision further develops an existing 2010 Agreement, reflecting more than a decade of institutional practice, and the evolution of the EP's role during that time. Read more
EU
Legislation
European Parliament
Commission
New Amending Europol Regulation In Force
On 22 December 2025, a new Regulation amending Europol's mandate was published in the EU's Official Journal. The Regulation strengthens Europol's support and enhances police cooperation in preventing and combatting migrant smuggling and human trafficking. Read more
EU
Europol
Trafficking in Human Beings
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Police Cooperation
ECJ: Lifting of immunity for Puigdemont and His Associates Null and Void
On 5 February 2026, the ECJ annulled the EP's decisions waiving the immunity of Catalan politicians because the appointment of the rapporteur responsible for the requests for waiver of immunity contravened the requirement of impartiality. Read more
EU
European Parliament
ERA: Free EU Criminal Law Training Resources for Defence Lawyers
The Academy of European Law (ERA), together with partners, has released a set of free training materials aimed at strengthening defence lawyers’ capacity to handle cross-border criminal cases across Europe. The resources are openly accessible online and are part of the “European Criminal … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Procedural Safeguards