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News found: 2317 of 2317
Commission’s Refined Methodology for Identifying High-Risk Third Countries
By means of the Staff Working Paper SWD(2020) 99 final) of 7 May 2020, the Commission presented a refined and more transparent methodological approach by which to identify high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies in their regime on anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing. The … Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Money Laundering
Spotlight Action Plan on Preventing Money Laundering: Six Pillars
EU action against money laundering and terrorist financing must be ambitious and multifaceted. This is the main line of argumentation in the Commission Action Plan for a comprehensive Union policy on preventing money laundering and terrorist financing (Communication C(2020) 2800 final). The Action … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Money Laundering
Commission Tables Measures to Enhance AML/CFT
Following its roadmap “towards a new comprehensive approach to preventing and combating money laundering and terrorism financing” of February 2020 (see separate news item), the European Commission put forward a series of further measures on 7 May 2020. They are designed to step up … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
OLAF & Europol Foil Smuggling of Dangerous Counterfeit Pesticides
On 5 June 2020, OLAF reported on the meanwhile “fifth edition” of the operation Silver Axe. It led to the seizure of 1346 tons of illicit and counterfeit pesticides. The operation was coordinated by Europol and OLAF and involved police, customs, and plant protection … Read more
EU
OLAF
Europol
OLAF Supports Seizure of Smuggled Cigarettes
The Italian Guardia di Finanza caught a consignment of nearly 55,000 cigarettes destined for entry into the EU black market in a seizure coordinated by OLAF. OLAF received information from Turkish Customs about a suspicious convoy with a significant quantity of cigarettes, which was … Read more
EU
OLAF
AI Reports Discussed in EP Committees
In May/June 2020, committees of the European Parliament discussed several reports on artificial intelligence. These reports include:Draft report with recommendations to the Commission on a civil liability regime for artificial intelligence (rapporteur Axel Voss (DE/EPP));Draft report on intellectual property rights for the development … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Legislation
State of Play of Current Legislative JHA Proposals
At the video conference meeting of the ministers of justice of the EU Member States on 4 June 2020, the Croatian Council Presidency informed the ministers about the state of play of current legislative proposals in the areas of justice and home affairs. The overview … Read more
EU
Legislation
EP Requests Swift Return to Fully Functioning Schengen Area
Reopening borders, a Schengen recovery plan, and a revision of the Schengen rules to ensure a truly European governance – these are the three main demands in a European Parliament resolution on the situation in the Schengen area following the COVID‑19 outbreak. In the resolution … Read more
EU
Schengen
Council: More Operational Activities with Western Balkans Partners
On 5 June 2020, the Council adopted conclusions on enhancing cooperation with Western Balkans partners in the field of migration and security. Support to the Western Balkans should be maintained in order to:Achieve a more efficient migration policy and border management;Further improve the … Read more
EU
Security Union
Hungary: Latest Rule-of-Law Developments
This news item continues the overview given in eucrim 1/2020, pp. 4 et seq. of recent events causing Hungary to struggle with European institutions as regards the country’s move away from the EU rule-of-law values.18 May 2020: The Chair of the European Data Protection … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
Poland: Recent Rule-of-Law Developments
This news item continues the overview provided in eucrim 1/2020, p. 2 on actions/regulations that triggered controversies on maintenance of the rule of law in Poland.May/June 2020: The ECtHR informs the public of the state of play of various applications by Polish judges, … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
COVID-19: Lawyers’ Organisations Voice Concerns Over Impact on Individuals Rights
During the confinement period to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, the right of any person to due process has been severely threatened. In a statement of 20 May 2020, the CCBE urged European institutions and all Member States to overcome the current paralysis of judicial systems … Read more
Fundamental Rights
Operation OPSON IX: Dangerous Food and Drinks Taken Off the Market
OLAF successfully supported the international operation OPSON IX that targeted counterfeit and substandard food and beverages, food fraud, and economically motivated adulteration. In total, 19 organised crime groups were dismantled, over 400 suspects arrested, and 320 tonnes of smuggled or substandard dairy products, e.g., rotten milk and cheese, seized. Read more
EU
OLAF
Europol
Counterfeiting & Piracy
OLAF Supports Detection of Money Laundering Scheme in Romania and Belgium
OLAF successfully concluded investigations into a complex money laundering scheme in Romania and Belgium. Several persons came under judicial control for corruption and money laundering offences. More than €600,000 from EU money was transferred to private bank accounts Read more
EU
OLAF
Money Laundering
Protection of Financial Interests
OLAF Helps Unravel Illegal Gas Import
With OLAF's support in collecting intelligence on a suspicious cargo shipment from China, Dutch authorities were able to seize 14 tonnes of illicit refrigerant gases bound for the EU. The successful operation involved the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Poland. It was coordinated by OLAF and ultimately … Read more
EU
OLAF
OLAF Supports Strike against Cigarette Smuggling in Ukraine
On 9 July 2020, OLAF reported on its role in the successful strike against cigarette smuggling in the Ukraine. Having been alerted of a suspicious shipment from the Arab United Emirates via Ukranian Black Sea ports with a final destination in Transnistria/Moldova, OLAF provided … Read more
EU
OLAF
Protection of Financial Interests