Category: Eurojust

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Fugitive Italian crime leader arrested in Slovenia

Source: Eurojust

A fast and coordinated action by Italian and Slovenian authorities, supported by Eurojust, has led to the arrest of a dangerous criminal hiding in Koper, Slovenia. The leader of an Italian organised crime group (OCG) was on the run from a 21-year prison sentence. He had been convicted of several crimes including drug trafficking, extortion and kidnapping.

The Italian OCG leader, of Calabrian origin, fled on the eve of his conviction in February this year. A national and European Arrest Warrant was issued for the 40-year-old fugitive. Complex investigations lasting several months were launched. The fugitive was finally located in Slovenia through a phone tapping and surveillance operation.

It was at this point that Eurojust became involved in the operation by executing a European Investigation Order (EIO). The EIO enabled surveillance activities in Slovenia, including phone tracking and physical tailing. In just 10 days, the EIO was executed and the Slovenian and Italian authorities were able to pinpoint the fugitive’s precise location in Koper, leading to his arrest on 20 August.

In February, the OCG leader was sentenced to 21 years in prison. The Italian was the leader of a criminal organisation that trafficked cocaine throughout Italy. He was also convicted of other crimes such as robbery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, kidnapping and the illegal possession of weapons. In a separate trial, he was found guilty of mafia-related offences.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Italy: General Prosecution Office at the Court of Appeal of Perugia; Carabinieri – ROS (Special Operational Department); Anti-crime Section of Ancona and Investigation Unit of Fermo; SIRENE Office at the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
  • Slovenia: Public Prosecution Office of Koper; Police Directorate in Koper.
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Eurojust supports large-scale anti-mafia operation leading to arrest and freezing of EUR 50 million

Source: Eurojust

To support other major mafia families, the OCG was involved in various criminal activities, including extortion, money laundering and the fraudulent transfer of valuables. An integrated network of financial professionals in Italy and around the world helped the OCG to invest its profits in companies in Italy, including a well-known hotel.

In 2016, the suspects moved their activities to Brazil to support another Italian criminal and launder more of their profits. The money arrived in Brazil through multiple transit bank accounts and with the support of their network of financial professionals in Italy.

One of the main members of the mafia family moved to Natal, Brazil, to start several companies using straw men and shell companies. Most of the companies were involved in large real estate and construction projects, such as a building site near the northeastern coast of Brazil. As these real estate projects were guaranteed to generate exceptionally high profits, it was easy for the OCG to hide their criminal gains. The total assets of the family are estimated at over EUR 500 million.

The Italian and Brazilian authorities have been investigating the activities of the OCG since 2022 through a joint investigation team (JIT), set up with the support of Eurojust. Their investigations uncovered the activities of the OCG in Switzerland. Through Eurojust, the Swiss authorities were involved in the JIT’s investigations.

On 13 August, a large coordinated operation took place in Italy, Switzerland and Brazil, with support from Eurojust. In Italy, 21 searches were carried out at the homes of the OCG members and the offices of their companies. A suspect was arrested in Brazil and financial assets worth EUR 50 million euros belonging to 17 individuals (all under investigation) were seized, as well as 12 companies involved in the real estate, construction and hospitality sectors. In Switzerland, the house of an Italian businessman was searched.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Palermo – District Antimafia Directorate; Guardia di Finanza – G.I.C.O. (Organized Crime Investigative Group) of Palermo
  • Brazil: Federal Prosecutor’s Office of Rio Grande do Norte
  • Switzerland: Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland; Federal Office of Police fedpol
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Financial scammers detained following actions coordinated by Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

The OCG started their scam by posting false advertisements on the internet that promoted an investment plan that would lead to secure, quick and substantial earnings in virtual currencies. To ensure the credibility of the advertisements, pictures of well-known people, logos of banks and specialised economic publications were added.

People clicking on the advertisement were led to a fake investment platform where the victims would fill in their personal information. To obtain even more personal data, the scammers, posing as financial actors, called their victims to gain access to their bank accounts. With access to the bank accounts, the group transferred sums of money and took over the possession of the victim’s virtual currencies. Through this scam, the OCG was able to gain approximately EUR 3 million.

Investigations into the scam started after victims in Romania reached out to the authorities. This resulted in the uncovering of an organised crime group in Moldova that was responsible for the scam. Investigations continued at Eurojust, where the Romanian and Moldovan authorities set up a joint investigation team (JIT) to work together quickly and efficiently to stop the OCG.

The coordinated actions led to an action day on 7 August during which 19 house searches were conducted in Moldova and evidence such as computers, data storage units, weapons and ammunition, and documents were seized. Moldovan authorities ordered the preventive detention of 12 suspects.

Europol supported the action day by setting up a virtual command post to coordinate the operational activities, providing live cryptoanalysis and cross-checks against Europol’s databases as the data was being collected in the field.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Romania: Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism – Central Structure
  • Moldova: Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases
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Alleged large-scale coin forger arrested in Kosovo due to Eurojust support

Source: Eurojust

06 August 2024|

With support provided via the Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project, hosted by Eurojust, an alleged large-scale coin forger has been arrested in Kosovo*. The arrested person is an employee of the North-Macedonian Ministry of the Interior and is suspected of producing around 2 million fake EUR 2 coins, which were about to be circulated into the Kosovar economy.

Europol provided intelligence analysis, operational coordination and technical assistance to ensure the successful apprehension of the suspect.

Investigations will now seek to establish the full scale of the coin forgery. During searches of the suspect’s home, machines for the production of counterfeit currency, coin templates and raw materials have been seized. The suspect had been under surveillance for a longer period.

His successful apprehension was the result of a joint investigation team (JIT) supported by the Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project, and financed as part of the operational activities of the investigations. The investigations were also financially supported by the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).

EMPACT tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the European Union. EMPACT strengthens intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT runs in four-year cycles focusing on common EU crime priorities. Fraud, economic and financial crimes are among the priorities for the 2021-2025 Policy Cycle.

The following authorities were involved in the operations:

  • Kosovo*: Special Prosecution Office (SPRK) and Kosovo Police, Directorate for Investigation of Economic Crimes and Corruption
  • North Macedonia: Basic Public Prosecution Office Skopje – Investigative Centre; Ministry of Interior, Department for Suppression of Organised and Serious Crime

* This designation is made without prejudice to positions on status and is in accordance with UNSCR 1244/ 1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

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Sentences of over five years for Dutch criminals robbing ATMs in Germany

Source: Eurojust

Between November 2021 and January 2023 the OCG members used severe violence to blast ATMs and crowbars to pry them open, stealing an estimated EUR 3.4 million. The damages inflicted on the buildings, teller machines, their infrastructure and the bank’s surroundings amounted to well over EUR 4 million.

The gang members often stole fast cars to carry out the heists in Germany, which usually took place at night in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, before speeding back to the Netherlands. In each attack the OCG managed to steal up to EUR 250 000 in cash. The gang was highly organised, with a clear division of tasks, ranging from organising logistics to blasting open the ATMs.

At the request of the German authorities, Eurojust supported the investigations since May 2022.  The Agency organised two coordination meetings between the authorities involved and facilitated a joint action day in early 2023. In total, sixteen suspects were arrested in the Netherlands between January and September 2023, who were later surrendered to Germany. The Agency also supported the procedures for the surrender of the suspects.

In total, an estimated hundred hauls on German ATMs took place. For thirty cases the suspects were charged. Following plea bargains with the German Public Prosecution Office, fifteen suspects have now been sentenced, two on probation. One defendant is still on trial.

The following authorities conducted and/or supported the investigations:

  • Germany: Public Prosecution Office Bamberg; State Criminal Police Office of Bavaria and State Criminal Police Office of Baden-Württemberg
  • The Netherlands: Public Prosecution Office Central Netherlands/Utrecht; National Police
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Launch of the new phase of the EuroMed Justice project

Source: Eurojust

Today’s conference marked the official start of the Project’s 6th phase, which has a budget of EUR 6 million and a duration of four years. In addition to the delegations from the South Partner countries and EU Member States, the conference was attended by representatives of the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations and the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers, as well as representatives from EU Agencies and international organisations.

EMJ VI will continue to develop its sustainable cooperation mechanisms for cross-border judicial cooperation in criminal matters, consolidate relationships and mutual trust for efficient responses to judicial cooperation issues. It will enhance capacities of South Partner Countries to tackle serious and organised crime through efficient and effective international judicial cooperation.

EMJ VI will continue to support the strategic cooperation mechanism established in the previous phases of the project:

  1. EuroMed Justice Expert Group in Criminal Matters (CrimEx), which fosters the region’s ownership in the implementation of the project, builds trust and mutual confidence, and exchanges best practices and lessons learned
  2. EuroMed Prosecutors General Forum (PG Forum), which gives strategic direction and endorsement to the work of CrimEx, identifies prosecution-related challenges and recommends solutions.

It will also strengthen the EuroMed Justice Network (EMJNet): a cross-Mediterranean network of practitioners designed to strengthen contacts and operational cooperation between criminal justice authorities from South Partner Countries and EU Member States. Eurojust will support the EMJ project by sharing expertise and best practices from the agency and EU Member States on how to use tools and instruments on judicial cooperation. It will also support Commission-led negotiations of international agreements between Eurojust and South Partner Countries.

About the EuroMed Justice Project

Funded by the European Union, EuroMed Justice aims to strengthen the strategic and operational cooperation in judicial criminal matters between South Partner Countries and European Union (EU) Member States. Its long-term objective is to contribute to the development of safer societies as well as to contribute to the protection of citizens in SPCs and EU MS against criminal activities, with due respect for the rule of law, and human and fundamental rights. It has been implemented by Eurojust since 2020.

More information on the EMJ Project and its implementation can be found in this leaflet and on the EuroMed Justice webpage.

*This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.

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Eurojust welcomes COEST delegation

Source: Eurojust

08 March 2024|

Today, 8 March, Eurojust welcomed a delegation from the European Council Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia (COEST). 

The delegation met with Eurojust experts, who presented the Agency’s work in response to the war in Ukraine. This included presentations on the Joint Investigation Team on war crimes, the Core International Crimes Evidence Database, and the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression. 

The meeting, which also included the participation of representatives from the European External Action Service, DG NEAR, and the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided an opportunity for the participants to gain insights and exchange best practices.

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Ukrainas väidetavalt toimepandud raskete rahvusvaheliste kuritegude ühise uurimisrühma tegevusaega pikendatakse kaks aastat

Source: Eurojust

Seitse riiklikku ametiasutust, kes osalevad Ukrainas väidetavalt toimepandud raskete rahvusvaheliste kuritegude ühises uurimisrühmas (JIT), on kokku leppinud, et ühise uurimisrühma tegevusaega pikendatakse kaks aastat. Osalevate riikide peaprokurörid leppisid tegevusaja pikendamises kokku täna Ukrainas Kiievis toimunud koordineerimisnõupidamisel. Nõupidamine toimus samal ajal kui konverents „United for Justice“, mis toimub samuti Kiievis.

Ainult kolm nädalat pärast täiemahulise sissetungi algust Ukrainasse toetas Eurojust 25. märtsil 2022 Leedu, Poola ja Ukraina moodustatud ühise uurimisrühma loomist. 30. mail 2022 said liikmeks Eesti, Läti ja Slovakkia ning 13. oktoobril 2022 Rumeenia. 3. märtsil 2023 allkirjastasid ühise uurimisrühma seitse riiklikku ametiasutust vastastikuse mõistmise memorandumi Ameerika Ühendriikide justiitsministeeriumiga.

Rahvusvahelise Kriminaalkohtu Prokuratuur on osalenud ühises uurimisrühmas alates aprillist 2022 ja Europol alates oktoobrist 2023.

Two years on

A timeline of Eurojust’s response to the war in Ukraine

Open the timeline

Ühine uurimisrühm on üks kõige arenenumaid vahendeid, mida kasutatakse kriminaalasjades tehtavas rahvusvahelises koostöös, mis hõlmab kahe või enama riigi pädevate asutuste vahelist õiguslikku kokkulepet kriminaaluurimiste läbiviimiseks. Ühise uurimisrühma eesmärk on hõlbustada asjaomastes riikides uurimisi ja süüdistuste esitamist seoses Ukrainas väidetavalt toimepandud raskete rahvusvaheliste kuritegudega, samuti seoses nendega, mida võidakse käsitelda Rahvusvahelises Kriminaalkohtus.

Koordineerimisnõupidamisel arutasid osalejad ühise uurimisrühma senise tegevuse tulemusi ja järgmise kahe aasta prioriteete.

Eurojust pakub ühisele uurimisrühmale õiguslikku, analüütilist, logistilist ja rahalist tuge. Alates märtsist 2022 on amet korraldanud 22 koordineerimisnõupidamist, kus osalesid ühise uurimisrühma liikmed ja muud riiklikud ametiasutused, kes uurivad Ukrainas väidetavalt toimepandud raskeid rahvusvahelisi kuritegusid.

Ühist uurimisrühma toetavad ka raskete rahvusvaheliste kuritegude tõendite andmebaas (CICED) ja Ukraina-vastaste agressioonikuritegude eest vastutusele võtmise rahvusvaheline keskus (ICPA), mida haldab Eurojust. Lisateave Eurojusti võetavate mitmesuguste meetmete kohta alates sõja puhkemisest Ukrainas on meie spetsiaalsel veebilehel https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/eurojust-and-the-war-in-ukraine, kus on ka kõige sagedamate küsimuste vastused ning pressikonverentside ja muude seonduvate ürituste salvestised.

Konverents „United for Justice“

29. veebruaril Kiievis toimunud konverents „United for Justice“ (üheskoos õiguse nimel) tõi kokku paljud sidusrühmad, kes on osalenud püüdlustes tagada vastutus Ukrainas väidetavalt toime pandud raskete rahvusvaheliste kuritegude eest. Ukraina ametiasutuste korraldatud üritus keskendus kultuuripärandile. Ukraina peaprokurör Andri Kostin avas ürituse põhisõnavõtuga. Sõna võtsid Poola justiitsminister, Leedu ja Rumeenia peaprokurörid ning Eurojusti president Ladislav Hamran.

Lisateave:

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Eurojust and U.S. Department of Justice co-host meeting aimed at ensuring sensitive technologies stay out of the wrong hands

Source: Eurojust

The unlawful acquisition of sensitive technology is a significant threat to free and democratic societies around the world. When in the wrong hands, innovations that include semiconductor technology, quantum computing, biosciences and artificial intelligence can be used to increase the military capabilities of foreign adversaries. The technologies can also be used to engage in mass surveillance, suppress dissidents living abroad or commit other human rights abuses.

The meeting served as a unique opportunity for US and European partners to discuss the threats posed by the acquisition of sensitive technology by non-allied nations; exchange information about efforts to combat such threats, including relevant authorities, enforcement tools and best practices; and identify opportunities for further collaboration. As part of this discussion, the United States highlighted its Disruptive Technology Strike Force, a US inter-agency programme launched in 2023 aimed at preventing critical technologies from being unlawfully acquired.

Opening remarks were delivered by European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, Eurojust President Ladislav Hamran, U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen, and Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin.

In his remarks, Eurojust President Mr Ladislav Hamran stated: ‘The acquisition of advanced technology by foreign adversaries is a global problem that demands a global solution. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has only increased the urgency of finding effective solutions to this longstanding challenge. The presence of so many stakeholders at today’s meeting sends a powerful signal: we can and must do better, because in the end, this is not just about technology but about protecting innocent lives.’

In his remarks, Assistant Attorney Mr Matthew G. General Olsen said: ‘The countries represented here have a shared commitment to the common goal of combatting the national security threat posed by the misuse of critical technology. International partnerships are critical to our work.  Our adversaries’ efforts to obtain sensitive technology reaches across the globe, and it demands an international response.’

The meeting was divided into topical sessions that featured speakers from EU Member States, EU institutions, other European countries and the United States. Participants highlighted recent examples of coordinated law enforcement actions against criminal actors involved in the illegal export of sensitive technology to foreign adversaries.

Participants agreed to carry the momentum forward and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting critical technology assets from being acquired or used by foreign adversaries.

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Un importante paso contra el crimen organizado Eurojust firma Acuerdos de Trabajo con cinco países latinoamericanos

Source: Eurojust

El 68% de las redes delictivas más peligrosas operan a escala mundial, y el 36% de ellas se dedican al tráfico de drogas, según un informe de Europol. Estas redes blanquean el producto de sus actividades a escala global, y el 32% de ellas lo hace tanto en la Unión Europea -EU- como en el extranjero.

Para desmantelar estas redes es esencial la cooperación internacional. En este sentido, Eurojust apoya a las autoridades nacionales de la UE para que colaboren con terceros países. Los Acuerdos de Trabajo con Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador y Perú, reforzarán la cooperación en la lucha contra la delincuencia organizada y el terrorismo. Un Acuerdo de Trabajo similar fue firmado por Panamá, en enero de 2024, lo que ha contribuido a que las autoridades panameñas incrementaran el uso de las herramientas de cooperación judicial que ofrece Eurojust.

La Estrategia de la UE, para hacer frente a la delincuencia organizada, destaca la importancia de la cooperación más allá de la Unión Europea a través de los mecanismos de Eurojust, con el fin de desarticular las redes delictivas y las rutas de transporte mundiales. En la firma de los acuerdos de trabajo, el Comisario Europeo de Justicia, Didier Reynders, declaró: Hoy abrimos un nuevo capítulo en la cooperación entre la UE y seis socios estratégicos en este ámbito. Partiendo de nuestros valores compartidos y de nuestros intereses estratégicos comunes, podemos dotar a las autoridades judiciales de los instrumentos necesarios para salvaguardar los derechos de nuestros ciudadanos, permitiendo al mismo tiempo una cooperación eficaz “sobre el terreno”. Considero la conclusión de los Acuerdos de Trabajo con Eurojust como un hito en este proceso. Y espero con interés avanzar en nuestra colaboración para construir una respuesta común a la delincuencia organizada.

El presidente de Eurojust, Ladislav Hamran, ha declarado: El tráfico de drogas es la actividad delictiva más lucrativa en la UE, ya que genera un mercado ilícito con unos ingresos anuales de al menos 31.000 millones de euros. Para mitigar y detener el enorme daño a las sociedades y a los individuos tanto en la Unión Europea como en América Latina, nuestra respuesta debe ser eficaz y colaborativa. Es esencial que los fiscales de Europa y América Latina se unan y diseñen estrategias para una cooperación más estrecha, que nos permita no sólo desarticular las redes criminales, sino también exigirles responsabilidades ante los tribunales. Es un honor para mí que Eurojust sirva de plataforma para construir esta arquitectura, y estoy deseando poner en práctica los Acuerdos de Trabajo que Eurojust ha firmado con las autoridades judiciales de Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador y Perú, tras el Acuerdo de Trabajo que firmamos con Panamá en enero de 2024.

Los Acuerdos de Trabajo reforzarán la cooperación en ámbitos delictivos, que afectan tanto a la UE como a los países latinoamericanos, en temas como el tráfico de drogas y armas, el blanqueo de capitales y ciberdelincuencia. Es vital que las autoridades judiciales trabajen juntas para combatir el creciente problema del tráfico de drogas, especialmente mediante el desmantelamiento de las rutas de transporte que mueven grandes cantidades de drogas y que ingresan a la UE a través de los puertos. Con el apoyo de Eurojust, en 2023 se incautaron drogas por valor de 25.600 millones de euros, más del doble que en 2022.

En una declaración conjunta, los fiscales generales de Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panamá y Perú expresaron su preocupación por el impacto de los grupos delictivos organizados en la seguridad, la economía y el bienestar de sus ciudadanos. Para fortalecer la respuesta judicial conjunta a la delincuencia organizada, se han comprometido a aplicar los acuerdos de trabajo con el apoyo crucial de EL PACCTO 2.0, el Programa de Cooperación de la UE destinado a reforzar la asociación UE-ALC en los ámbitos de la justicia y la seguridad, para luchar contra la delincuencia organizada transnacional. Los acuerdos de trabajo reflejan el compromiso de ambas regiones para hacer frente a los retos que plantean las redes delictivas que operan a través de las fronteras. Los fiscales generales también trabajarán en la celebración de acuerdos internacionales con Eurojust, lo que representa el siguiente paso en el proceso de cooperación.

Puede encontrar más información sobre la cooperación internacional de Eurojust en:

Las preguntas frecuentes sobre acuerdos de trabajo.

Los videos disponibles en el canal YouTube de Eurojust, de las declaraciones de los fiscales generales de Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panamá y Perú, junto a las declaraciones del presidente de Eurojust.