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News found: 2268 of 2268
OLAF’s Operational Work July-December 2024
This news item summarises OLAF’s operational work in the second half of 2024 in reverse chronological order. It follows the reports on operations supported by OLAF in the first half of 2024 published in → eucrim 1/2024, 17-18. Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
OLAF
Customs Cooperation
German Federal Constitutional Court: Use of EncroChat Data in Criminal Proceedings Admissible
On 1 November 2024, the German Federal Constitutional Court rejected a constitutional complaint against a criminal conviction for dealing in narcotics in a non-negligible quantity, which was based on the use of EncroChat data as evidence. The Federal Constitutional Court in essence backed the case law of the Federal Court of Justice which sees no exclusionary rule in the use of said data which were gathered by French law enforcement authorities via the use of mass surveillance technology. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Organised Crime
European Investigation Order
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Data Protection
New European Commission Takes Office
This news item summarises the main priorities of the newly formed European Commission, including the responsibilities of the Commissioners responsible for justice and home affairs and anti-fraud matters. Read more
Cornelia Riehle LL.M.
EU
Commission
Europol Intensifies Cooperation with Chile
In November 2024, Europol and Chile signed two legal instruments that put in practice a Working Arrangement that is in force since May 2021. On the basis of this Working Arrangement, the two parties were able to sign a Liaison Officer Agreement and a Memorandum … Read more
EU
Europol
Sixth SIRIUS Report
At the end of November 2024, Eurojust, Europol, and the European Judicial Network (EJN) published the 2024 edition of the SIRIUS European Union (EU) Electronic Evidence Situation Report. The report provides an overview of the electronic evidence landscape in the EU from the perspective of law enforcement, the judiciary, and service providers. Read more
EU
Europol
Eurojust
European Judicial Network (EJN)
e-Evidence
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Europol Signs Working Arrangement with Singapore
On 28 November 2024, Europol and the law enforcement authorities of Singapore signed a Working Arrangement to strengthen their cooperation in preventing and combating serious crime and terrorism. This Working Arrangement paves the way for further negotiations on related implementing agreements, such as a SIENA … Read more
EU
Europol
EU Reactions to Russian War against Ukraine: Overview October – November 2024
This news item continues the reporting on key EU reactions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022: the impact on the EU’s internal security policy, on criminal law, and on the protection of the EU’s financial interests. It includes the European Council conclusions reaffirming the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s continued aggression and the new legal framework establishing the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism. Read more
Dr. Anna Pingen
Council of Europe
Ukraine conflict
Shutdown of Global Illegal Streaming Service
On 26 November 2024, one of the largest illegal streaming services was shut down in a major operation involving Italian, Croatian, Dutch, Romanian, Swedish, Swiss, and UK authorities. The illegal service offered films, series, and TV channels, including sports channels, and served more than 22 … Read more
EU
Europol
Eurojust
Counterfeiting & Piracy
Cybercrime
Spotlight Europol Report: Benefits and Challenges of AI for Law Enforcement
For the first time, Europol’s Innovation Lab has published an Observatory Report on AI and Policing, which aims to provide an overview of the benefits and challenges associated with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by law enforcement. The report seeks to show how … Read more
EU
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Digital Space Regulation
Europol
Eurojust: New President and Vice-President
Mr Michael Schmid, National Member for Austria at Eurojust, was elected as the new President of the Agency in November 2024. On 10 December 2024, National Member for Spain Mr José de la Mata Amaya was elected Vice-President of Eurojust. Read more
EU
Eurojust
Takedown of MATRIX
At the beginning of December 2024, a Joint Investigation Team from the Netherlands, France, Lithuania, Italy, and Spain took down the MATRIX (Mactrix/Totalsec/X-quantum/Q-safe), an encrypted messaging service created by criminals for criminals. The takedown was aided by Eurojust and Europol.Criminal users could join … Read more
EU
Europol
Eurojust
Law Enforcement Cooperation
MONEYVAL: Annual Report for 2023
In its annual report for 2023, published on 8 November 2024, MONEYVAL provides an overview of compliance trends of in the states and jurisdictions which have been evaluated as regards their compliance with international standards on combatting money laundering, the funding of terrorism and … Read more
Council of Europe
Money Laundering
86th CDPC Plenary Meeting: Advancements in Various Crime Areas
At its 86th Plenary meeting, the European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC) took important decisions on the advancement of cooperation and prevention in criminal matters. These include approval of the draft Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, and approval of the draft Third Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. Read more
Council of Europe
European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC)
New Misuse of Power Factsheet
On 14 November 2024, the Council of Europe published a new factsheet summarising the ECtHR’s case law on Article 18 ECHR, which limits the use of restriction on human rights guaranteed in the Convention. Article 18 ECHR ensuring that restrictions on rights and freedoms … Read more
Council of Europe
European Court of Human Rights
Human Rights Issues
Spotlight ECJ Ruled on Police Access to Mobile Phone Data
What parameters should govern police access to cell phone data? The ECJ’s Grand Chamber landmark ruling in the Case C-548/21 (“Bezirkshauptmannschaft Landeck”) stressed that access is not necessarily limited to the fight against serious crime; instead, national legislation must have safeguards to uphold the principle of proportionality. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Data Protection
ECJ: Compensation to Victims of Violent Intentional Crime Must Be Available to All Family Members
In the context of a reference for a preliminary ruling from Italy, the ECJ ruled on 7 November 2024 that the Italian scheme on compensation for victims of violent intentional crime which makes the right to compensation dependent on the order of succession of a deceased person is incompatible with the Directive relating to compensation to crime victims. Read more
EU
Victim Protection