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News found: 2045 of 2045
Overview of Convictions in EPPO Cases: January-April 2023
The following provides an overview of court verdicts in EPPO cases in the various participating EU Member States, as far as reported by the EPPO. It covers the period from 1 January to 30 April 2023. Read more
EU
EPPO
Convictions in VAT Carousel Fraud Case with Luxury Cars
German criminal courts handed down first judgments in a major EPPO case that dismantled a VAT carousel fraud ring involving luxury cars. This scheme was investigated since 2021 by the EPPO in Germany, and is estimated to have caused losses of at least €13 million. Read more
EU
EPPO
AG: Belgian Law Must Provide Right to an Effective Judicial Remedy against Supervisory Authority
In her opinion of 15 June 2023, AG Medina scrutinizes Belgian legislation in the field of law enforcement providing only indirect access to data subjects' rights via the supervisory data protection authority. From the perspective of EU law, what is critical is that the individual has no effective judicial remedy against the supervisory authority. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Data Protection
ECJ Rules on Consequences of the Prosecutor's Lacking Independence for the Consent Procedure
On 6 July 2023, the ECJ clarified the consequences to be drawn from its case law on the lacking independence of public prosecution services so that they cannot be recognised as "issuing judicial authority" within the meaning of Art. 6(1) of the Framework Decision on … Read more
EU
European Arrest Warrant
ECJ Rules on Automatic Penalties for Conflict-of-Interest Situations in Leading Administrative Positions
EU law does not preclude a person from being prohibited from all elective public office for three years if he / she has infringed the rules relating to conflicts of interest by holding such office. This statement was made by the ECJ in its judgement … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Procedural Safeguards
Legislation on JIT’s Collaboration Platform Passed
The new law on collaboration platform to support the functioning of joint investigation teams was passed and published in the Official Journal of the EU in May 2023. facilitate and improve the day-to-day coordination and management of joint investigation teams (JITs). Read more
EU
Legislation
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Police Cooperation
ECJ: Information on the Detention Grounds Must Be Prompt and Specific
In a judgment of 25 May 2023, the ECJ clarified the applicability of Directive 2012/13 on the right to information in criminal proceedings as well as the modalities, timing and the level of detail of information, which must be given to suspects. The case concerned a reference for a preliminary ruling by the Sofia District Court, Bulgaria. Read more
EU
Procedural Safeguards
German Bar Association Welcomes Proposal for Transfer of Criminal Proceedings But Sees Improvements
There are first reactions to the Commission's proposal of April 2023 for a regulation on the transfer of proceedings in criminal matters (→ eucrim 1/2023, 40). In a statement of 12 June 2023, the German Bar Association welcomes the draft regulation in principle. … Read more
EU
Judicial Cooperation
German Court Denies Extradition to UK Because of Bad Detentions
On 10 March 2023, the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe (Germany) declared extradition of a person from Germany to the UK as “currently inadmissible” due to the lack of guarantees for the person’s protection of fundamental rights. Read more
EU
Judicial Cooperation
Council Calls to Increase Efforts to Tackle Corruption
On 4 May 2023, the Council adopted conclusions on corruption as an obstacle to development. The conclusions emphasise the increased urgency of adopting a whole-of-government approach to combatting corruption in context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the illegal war of Russia against Ukraine. In particular, … Read more
EU
Council
Corruption
Spotlight Commission Proposes New Anti-Corruption Directive
As part of an anti-corruption package presented on 3 May 2023, the Commission tabled a proposal for a new directive on combating corruption. It aims to update and harmonise EU rules on definitions and penalties for corruption offences to ensure high standards against the full range of corruption crimes. It also provides also for preventive measures against corruption. Read more
EU
Corruption
Commission and HR Set Out EU Action against Corruption
In a Joint Communication of 3 May 2023, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy give an overview of the EU anti-corruption framework and how anti-corruption can be further mainstreamed into EU policy design. The Joint Communication is part of the anti-corruption package, which includes a proposal for a Directive to combat corruption by criminal law. Read more
EU
Corruption
Spotlight Commission Proposes Comprehensive Reform of Customs Union
On 17 May 2023, the Commission put forward proposals for the most ambitious and comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union since its establishment in 1968. The aim is that simplify customs processes and make them smarter and safer, including by means of an increased use of Artificial Intelligence, a new EU database and a new EU Customs Authority. Read more
EU
Customs Cooperation
EP Recommendation on Lessons Learned from Misused Spyware
In a recommendation of 15 June 2023, the EP sets up EU standards for the use of spyware. The recommendations endorse the conclusions drawn by the Pegasus scandal which was investigated by a respective Committee of Inquiry since May 2022. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Data Protection
ECA: Digital Administration of EU Funds is Progressing Too Slowly
Bodies managing EU funds still face several challenges with the use of digital tools. Such shortcomings have an impact on the effective protection of the EU’s financial interest. This is one of the main conclusions in a report presented by the European Court of Auditors … Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
Joint Action Days Against Cross-Border Crime
A weeklong operation took place at the end of June 2023, involving 12 EU and EU-associated countries in Central and South-Eastern Europe, Frontex, Eurojust, Europol and INTERPOL. The international operation led to the arrests of 108 people smugglers. It was conducted by Frontex standing corps … Read more
EU
Frontex
Organised Crime
Trafficking in Human Beings
Law Enforcement Cooperation