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News found: 2385 of 2385
ECJ: EIOs by Tax Authorities Need Validation
In its judgment of 2 March 2023, the ECJ clarified that a German tax office responsible for criminal matters and tax investigation (Steuerfahndung) cannot issue European Investigation Orders (EIOs) without a judge, a court, an investigating judge or a public prosecutor having validated the EIO in advance. Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
European Investigation Order
EJN Provides Form for MLA with UK
In order to assist with requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters to the UK under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the EJN now offers a form that can be downloaded from its website. The form, which can be used on a voluntary basis, … Read more
Cornelia Riehle LL.M.
EU
European Judicial Network (EJN)
Judicial Cooperation
Eurojust Launches Core International Crimes Evidence Database and Gives Overview of Judicial Support for Ukraine
Almost one year after the start of the war in Ukraine, Eurojust has taken crucial steps in support of the judicial response to alleged core international crimes. Further important steps have been made by the newly established Core International Crimes Evidence Database (CICED) and the setting up of the new International Centre for Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA). Read more
EU
Ukraine conflict
Eurojust
Illicit Tobacco Trade in 2022
On 4 April 2023, OLAF presented the results of its operations against tobacco smuggling in 2022. International operations involving OLAF during 2022 led to the seizure of 531 million contraband cigarettes. The majority had been illegally produced within the EU. Read more
EU
OLAF
Customs Cooperation
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Ireland
On 16 February 2023 GRECO published its fifth round evaluation report on Ireland. The country joined GRECO in 1999 and has implemented 75% of the recommendations of the first evaluation round, 85% of the second evaluation round, and 70% of the third evaluation round. Read more
Dr. András Csúri
Council of Europe
Corruption
EDPB Urges EU Legislature to Halt Draft on Data Sharing for AML/CFT
On 4 April 2023, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) sent letters to the trilogue partners (the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission) concerning the envisaged rules on data sharing for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) purposes. The … Read more
Dr. Anna Pingen
EU
Money Laundering
Spotlight Handbook of Good Practices in the Fight against Corruption
Mandated by the Commission, a research group drafted a Handbook of good practices in the fight against corruption. Its aim is to map a variety of anti-corruption practices in EU Member States that have proved to be useful in solving problems related to corruption, and which can inspire similar initiatives elsewhere. It is clustered into eight types of anti-corruption approaches. Read more
EU
Corruption
Criticism of New EU Plan for International Border Data-Sharing System
Ten civil society organisations submitted their criticism of the new Commission initiative “Security-related information sharing − reciprocal access for frontline officers in the EU and key partner countries”. Among the dangers cited: aiding political repression and underpinning human rights violations.The objective of … Read more
EU
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Police Cooperation
Frontex Annual Report 2022
On 28 February 2023, Frontex published its annual report for 2022. Given that the Agency faced a series of internal turbulences in 2022, the report gives account on several changes in Frontex governance. Read more
EU
Frontex
Agreement between Europol and New Zealand Approved
On 14 February 2023, the Council of the EU approved an Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand on the exchange of personal data between the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement (Europol) and the authorities in New Zealand competent for fighting serious crime and terrorism. Read more
EU
Europol
Police Cooperation
The Impact of ChatGPT on Law Enforcement
A new Tech Watch Flash report by Europol's Innovation Lab provides key findings of workshops which explored how criminals can abuse ChatGPT, and how it may assist investigators in their daily work. Read more
EU
Europol
ChipMixer Taken Down
ChipMixer, an unlicensed cryptocurrency mixer, was taken down by German and US authoritieson 15 March 2023, with help from Europol, Belgium, Poland, and Switzerland. The platform, which was set up in 2017, specialised in mixing/cutting trails related to virtual currency assets, making it attractive … Read more
EU
Europol
Money Laundering
ECtHR: Grand Chamber Reinforces Protection of Whistleblowers
With its Grand Chamber judgment of 14 February 2023 in the case Halet v. Luxembourg (application no. 21884/18), the ECtHR put an end to the long-lasting legal battle between one of the whistleblowers who triggered the LuxLeaks scandal and the state of Luxembourg. While previous judgments denied the defence of whistle-blower status according to Art. 10 ECHR (freedom of expression), the ECtHR’s Grand Chamber decided in the opposite and found a violation of Art. 10 ECHR. Read more
Council of Europe
Victim Protection
ECJ: Individual Reasons Not Necessary for Telecommunications Surveillance
On 15 February 2023, the ECJ delivered a judgment on the individualisation of the obligation to state reasons for a judicial authorisation of telephone surveillance measures. It was issued in relation to the Bulgarian court practice of using a pre-drafted general text template to justify a decision on telephone interception. According to the ECJ, this practice is in line with the Directive on privacy and electronic communications under certain conditions. Read more
EU
Procedural Safeguards
OLAF Fosters Cooperation with State Audit Service of Ukraine
On 27 March 2023, OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä signed an administrative cooperation arrangement with the State Audit Service of Ukraine (SAS). The SAS is the national contact point for cooperation with OLAF. The arrangement will facilitate the exchange of information and cooperation in investigative … Read more
EU
OLAF
Council Emphasises Civic Space in Protecting and Promoting Fundamental Rights
On 10 March, the JHA Council adopted conclusions on the role of the civic space in protecting and promoting fundamental rights in the EU. The conclusions emphasise the essential role freedom of association plays in ensuring a democratic and pluralist society and the proper functioning … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights