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News found: 2336 of 2336
Trilogue Negotiations on Planned Directive to Counter Money Laundering by Means of Criminal Law
On 17 January 2018, the European Parliament paved the way for the start of trilogue negotiations between MEPs, the Council, and the Commission as regards the legislative proposal for a directive on countering money laundering by means of criminal law. The mandate for MEPs … Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Money Laundering
New “Microfinancing” Approach to Combat Terrorist Financing
On 1 March 2018, MEPs adopted recommendations (by 533 votes to 24, with 43 abstentions) on how to deal with terrorist financing. They were submitted to the Council, the Commission, and the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Country Factsheets on Attitudes towards Corruption
On 20 February 2017, the European Commission published country-specific factsheets to supplement the latest Eurobarometer surveys (nos. 457 and 470) on public attitudes towards corruption. The factsheets contain breakdowns of key results by Member State, comparing them with results from previous surveys as well … Read more
EU
Corruption
Malta to Join EPPO?
At the JHA Council meeting on 9 March 2018, Malta expressed interest in joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Malta is the second EU Member State that may join the new EU scheme designed to effectively combat EU fraud, after 20 EU Member States … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
EPPO – First Implementation Measures Launched
On 23 February 2018, the Bulgarian Council Presidency released information about the state of play regarding preparations for implementing the EU Regulation of October 2017 establishing the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The following preparatory measures so far are the most notable:Appointment of the … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
EPPO – Implementation Phase Started
At their informal meeting in Sofia on 26 January 2018, the Ministers for Justice discussed the next steps in successful implementation of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). After having finalised the legal framework in October 2017 (see eucrim 3/2017, pp. 102-104), it … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
OLAF and Guardia di Finanza Detect Large-Scale Fraud in the EU’s Research and Innovation Fund
On 16 February 2018, OLAF reported a successful strike against an intricate fraud scheme that siphoned off more than €1.4 million from the EU’s Research and Innovation fund. An Italian-led consortium set up the fraud scheme, with alleged partners in France, Romania, and the … Read more
EU
OLAF
Convictions for Large-Scale Tobacco Smuggling
On 20 March 2018, a criminal court in Turin, Italy sentenced several individuals to prison, seized their assets, and ordered them to pay over €150 million to the Italian customs and tax authorities. It is the provisional end (the judgment is subject to appeal) … Read more
EU
OLAF
Debate on Key Features of OLAF and EPPO Relations
After the Commission tabled its evaluation report on OLAF Regulation No. 883/2013 in October 2017 (see details in the special eucrim issue 4/2017), the Council (in its ECOFIN formation) examined the report (see eucrim 3/2017, p. 100). The Commission suggested a … Read more
EU
OLAF
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
Public Consultation to Prepare Future EU Training Strategy
On 2 February 2018, the Commission started a public consultation in order to evaluate the 2011 European judicial training strategy and to design the new European judicial training strategy for 2019-2025. The consultation is open to all citizens and stakeholders interested in the future … Read more
EU
Brexit Preparedness
In January 2018, the European Commission launched a website that informs citizens and stakeholders of the consequences of the UK’s departure from the EU in a range of policy areas. The website is fed with documents on an ongoing basis that provide information on the … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
MONEYVAL: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Ukraine
On 30 January 2018, Moneyval published its fifth round evaluation report on Ukraine (for the accompanying press release, see here). Moneyval calls for more dissuasive sentences for the relevant crimes, more resources, and the need to investigate and prosecute high-level cases more actively.The … Read more
Dr. András Csúri
Council of Europe
Money Laundering
GRECO: Ad hoc Report on Romania
On 11 April 2018, GRECO published an ad hoc report on Romania, expressing concern over certain aspects of the laws recently adopted by Parliament on the status of judges and prosecutors, on its judicial organisation, and on the Superior Council of Magistracy as well … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
GRECO: Judicial Reforms in Poland Trigger First Ever ad hoc Assessment
On 29 March 2018, GRECO published the first ever ad hoc report on one of its Member States. This preliminary report was triggered by exceptional circumstances in Poland, concerning certain aspects of two recent laws, which have led to serious violations of CoE anti-corruption standards. … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Finland
On 27 March 2018, GRECO published its fifth round evaluation report on Finland. The country generally scores highly in perception surveys on the fight against corruption, and the risk of actual bribery is considered to be low. That said, recent scandals, such as a … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
GRECO: Fourth Round Evaluation Report on the Russian Federation
On 22 March 2018 GRECO published its fourth round evaluation report on the Russian Federation. The fourth evaluation round was launched in 2012 in order to assess how Member States address corruption prevention in respect of Members of Parliament (MPs), judges, and prosecutors (for … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption