Category: Hungary

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Posted on

Hungarian EU presidency to combat cybercrime

Source: Eurojust

Cybercrime is a rapidly evolving and growing area of criminal activity. Cybercriminals are exploiting the speed and anonymity of the internet to commit a range of criminal acts, including large-scale cyberattacks and the use of malware, phishing and spam. Many of the cases opened at Eurojust, 534 cases in 2023 alone, investigate cybercrime. The Hungarian presidency will focus on the fight against cybercrime, as it is a serious threat to fundamental rights, critical infrastructure and competitiveness. A key objective in this priority area will be ensuring a safe online environment for children.

To strengthen the security of the EU and its citizens, the presidency will focus on the fight against terrorism and organised crime. The Hungarian presidency will strengthen law enforcement and judicial cooperation in the prevention, detection and investigation of smuggling and trafficking of human beings. To combat drug trafficking, the presidency will promote the implementation of the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan and the EU Roadmap for combatting drug trafficking and organised crime.

In the field of criminal justice cooperation, the presidency will continue to prioritise victim support and the fight against corruption. In 2023, Eurojust helped deliver justice to more than 375 000 victims of all forms of serious, cross-border crime. Through a dedicated working group, Eurojust ensures that victim rights are protected in cross-border criminal proceedings.

To enhance digitalisation in judicial cooperation, the presidency will explore possibilities for the use of AI in the justice sector, following the adoption of the AI Act. Since December 2018, Eurojust has been actively working on enhancing digitalisation in Eurojust and the wider European judicial community. The Digital Criminal Justice Programme is working on several enhancements for judicial cooperation, such as the modernisation of the case management system used by national authorities for all of Eurojust’s cross-border cases.

To mark the start of the Hungarian presidency, fine art from a contemporary Hungarian artist will be displayed at Eurojust. This is part of the tradition whereby the country that holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU has the opportunity to display selected artwork in the lobby and on public floors.

Posted on

Website used for child pornography, prostitution and drug dealing taken down with support of Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

An online platform known for facilitating various crimes was taken down by the French authorities, in cooperation with Bulgaria, Germany Lithuania, the Netherlands and Hungary. The authorities had been investigating the digital platform since December 2023. During an action day on 24 June the servers located in Germany were seized and disconnected and over EUR 5.6 million of criminal funds were frozen.

The website was used for many years to facilitate a range of criminal activities, in particular for child pornography, sexual exploitation, drug dealing, ambushes and even homicides. Criminals were able to send messages and connect with other criminals active in their criminal activities.

Since 2021, more than 23 000 judicial procedures have been initiated involving the online platform. At least 480 victims of the platform have been heard during these judicial procedures. Investigations into the platform were started by French authorities in December 2023. These investigations showed that the platform was concealing and facilitating transactions for organised crime groups and was enabling criminal activities such as pimping and paedophilia.

A coordinated action to take down the website was carried out with the full support of Eurojust. The authorities seized the servers located in Germany, which resulted in the platform being disconnected and the display of a splash page. The Lithuanian and Hungarian authorities ensured the swift execution of freezing orders, which led to the freezing of over EUR 5.6 million in criminal funds.

At the same time, a European Investigation Order (EIO), issued from France, was successfully executed in Bulgaria. All investigative actions have been carried out in presence of French magistrates and officials from the Law enforcement authorities of France upon authorisation by the competent Bulgarian authorities. As part of the execution of the EIO, bank statements were  revealed, searches and seizures were carried out and witnesses were questioned.

The actions were carried out by the following authorities:

  • France: PPO Paris JUNALCO (National Jurisdiction against organised Crime) Cybercrime Unit; Gendarmerie Nationale – Cybercrime unit; ONAF (Anti Fraud National Office)
  • Bulgaria: Sofia City PPO and General Police Directorate Combating Organised Crime
  • Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office Limburg; Hessian State Criminal Police Office
  • Hungary: Budapest IX. District Public Prosecutor’s Office
  • Lithuania: Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office
  • The Netherlands: Public Prosecutor’s Office Amsterdam
Posted on

New National Member for Hungary at Eurojust takes up duties

Source: Eurojust

Ms Eszter Mária Köpf 

Commenting on her new role as National Member, Ms Köpf stated: As prosecutor specialising in international and European cases, it is a great honour to continue my career as National Member at Eurojust, especially during the forthcoming EU Presidency. It is a priority for me to assist Hungarian prosecutors in their everyday cross-border work and to be a useful member of the College in strengthening European judicial cooperation. After decades, it’s a fantastic experience to return to the picturesque Netherlands.

Having started as a prosecutor in 1996, Ms Köpf has extensive experience in international and European legal affairs. She led the Department for International and European Affairs of the Hungarian Office of the Prosecutor General between 2004 and 2019, before becoming the head of the Division for International Legal Assistance Cases. Ms Köpf also received the Magyar István Prize of the Hungarian Prosecution Service in 2021.

The new National Member for Hungary graduated in law and political science from Eötvös Lóránd University in 1996, while also obtaining a degree in history from the same institution. In 1997, she completed her Master of Laws in Comparative European Law at the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands, and did her bar exam in 2000. Additionally, she graduated in European Law from Pázmány Péter Catholic University in 2011.

Posted on

Eight arrested in international operation against human trafficking supported by Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

With the support of Eurojust and Europol, authorities in Belgium and Hungary have taken action against an organised crime group involved in the trafficking of women for sexual exploitation. During a joint action, eight suspects were arrested in both countries. Several victims have been identified and brought to safety. Eurojust assisted the authorities in setting up and funding a joint investigation team (JIT) into the case.

During an international operation carried out on 20 February, eight suspects were arrested: six in Belgium and two in Hungary. The police seized 15 luxury vehicles, around EUR 34,000 in cash and EUR 9,500 in gold and silver during the searches in Belgium. In Hungary, a luxury vehicle, EUR 6,000 in cash and four wristwatches were seized.

The case was opened by Eurojust in February 2023 at the request of the Belgian authorities. A JIT was set up between the Belgian and Hungarian authorities with the support of Eurojust in May 2023. One coordination meeting was hosted by the Agency to facilitate judicial cooperation.

Europol facilitated the exchange of information and provided support during the investigation. Europol also provided operational analysis, operational intelligence and coordinated operational activities. During the action day, Europol deployed two Europol experts to Belgium and one to Hungary to provide analytical and technical support to the national authorities.

The following authorities took part in this investigation:

  • Belgium: Prosecution Office of West-Flanders; Investigating judge West-Flanders, section Bruges; Local police Ostend
  • Hungary: Metropolitan Public Prosecutor’s Office; Hungarian National Bureau of Investigation