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On 31 December 2025, the European Banking Authority’s (EBA) anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) powers in the financial sector were formally transferred to the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA). This marks a key milestone in the EU’s fight against financial crime. …

On 23 February 2026, the Council of the EU appointed Hennie Verbeek-Kusters as the fifth full-time member of the Executive Board of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), completing the governing body. The Executive Board is composed of the Chair and five full-time members, including the …

On 24 March 2026, the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) held its first public hearing to further develop the EU Anti-Money Laundering Single Rulebook into a robust, risk-based, and practical framework for all entities in the EU. The hearing provided stakeholders with an opportunity to speak …

On 23 April 2026, the ECJ delivered its judgment in Case C-24/26 PPU, Casotta, clarifying the scope of victims' rights under Directive 2012/29/EU in proceedings seeking to reopen criminal cases concluded by a final conviction rendered in the defendant’s absence. The ECJ also confirmed that Directive (EU) 2016/343 does not preclude Member States from granting persons convicted in absentia access to a new trial under more favourable conditions than those required by EU law.

Dear Readers, Looking back at the last 20 years, the European Union has taken substantial strides towards establishing a specific legal framework to ensure the rights of defendants in criminal proceedings – as set out in its secondary law, underpinned by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. In parallel, the rights of crime victims – long given secondary consideration – have been strengthened across Member States in accordance with EU law, for example, in the newly revised Victims’ Rights Directive. While there have been welcome achievements, it remains crucial that the EU continues its efforts to ensure the effective implementation…

On 10 July 2026, the Commission adopted a decision confirming Hungary's participation in the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). The decision was published in the Official Journal L, 2026/1701 of 13 July 2026. The request to join the EPPO was submitted by the new …

In June 2026, Europol reported that a major cryptocurrency laundering service known as "AudiA6" was dismantled in an international law enforcement operation. The service was used by ransomware groups and cybercriminal networks to launder stolen digital assets while obscuring financial trails. It is suspected of having laundered over €336 million from 2022 to 2025.

On 2 June 2026, the Commission issued opinions on the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls by nine EU Member States: Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden. The Commission recommended that the Member States concerned work towards phasing out …

Der diesjährige Arbeitskreis Europäisches Strafrecht befasst sich schwerpunktmäßig mit der Roadmap for lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement. Daneben stehen wie üblich Werkstattberichte auf dem Programm.