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Source: Europol
The clan leader was apprehended in Barcelona on 18 October, followed by the arrest of his lieutenant on 22 October. Both were wanted for charges including murder, attempted murder and kidnapping of rival gang members in Serbia, Austria, Germany and Spain.The clan leader was considered one of Europe’s most wanted and dangerous fugitives.The ” VračarClan”, a sub-clan of the “Kavač”…
Source: NATO
As NATO works to enhance defence production and ensure better defence planning, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke to the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) on the urgency of the task ahead. “Defence industrial issues are at the core of my agenda,” Mr Rutte explained. “NATO has made significant progress in kick-starting defence production, supporting Ukraine with munitions, and rebuilding stockpiles, but there is more to do, together.”
The meeting on 23 and 24 October brought representatives from Allied and Interoperability Partner nations together at NATO Headquarters for their 2024 Autumn Plenary Session. Delegates discussed the most pressing challenges for the armaments community across the Alliance and beyond. They addressed defence planning and production, joint procurement, and standardization. They also spoke about how to strengthen engagement with partners, in particular on supply chain security and defence industrial cooperation.
The CNAD plays an essential role in delivering the interoperable capabilities needed for the Alliance’s deterrence and defence. The Secretary General commended their work, highlighting the important part that Armaments Directors play in “turning political priorities and decisions into action.” This is vital not only among Allies but also with Partners. The recently appointed Assistance Secretary General for Defence Investment and CNAD’s Permanent Chair, Tarja Jaakkola, underscored the value of the of “ensuring that the CNAD contributes to bringing on board partners in NATO discussions to the fullest extent possible.”
Source: Europol
As consumers prepare for year-end festivities, many are looking for great deals. But a new report from Europol and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is warning that scammers and organised crime networks use legal entities and loopholes to avoid detection by authorities, and profit from consumers’ appetite for low prices with fake products.The report, ‘Uncovering the Ecosystem of…
Source: Eurojust
The General Public Prosecution Office of Dresden and the Police Directorate of Chemnitz started investigations in June 2020, following complaints from online investors. They had been lured to professionally designed websites, promising high returns on low investments. Victims only received a maximum of 3% of their initial investment, if any money was returned at all. Through the websites, the perpetrators managed to gain access to personal data and bank account details, creating fake customer accounts to lend credibility to the scheme.
To date, around 120 German victims are known, who have lost approximately EUR 12 million. However, further assessments by German investigators indicate that there are many more victims worldwide, with the fraud totaling at least EUR 300 million. It could even be as high as EUR 500 million. As result of these investigations, a number of suspects have been identified, including the one alleged main perpetrator, who has now been arrested. Investigations into the fraud are ongoing.
Due to links with Serbia, a JIT was set up with the help of the Agency in February this year, to ensure close cooperation between German and Serbian judicial and law enforcement investigators. Eurojust also organised four coordination meetings with participation of German, Cypriot and Serbian representatives to prepare for the action day and assisted with the execution of European Investigation Orders and requests for Mutual Legal Assistance to Serbia.
During the action day, 22 places were searched in Cyprus and Serbia. Furthermore, computer equipment, hard drives, mobile phones and digital data have been seized. Germany will ask the Cypriot authorities to surrender the arrested suspect.
The action day was carried out at the request of and by the following authorities on the ground:
Source: Europol
Using overcrowded boats, the suspects willingly put the lives and safety of the migrants at risk. After crossing the river, the migrants were clandestinely transported in various types of vehicles. Hiding them in passenger cars or the cargo areas of transport vehicles, the criminals would move the migrants towards Slovenia, Italy, Germany, and other EU countries. It is estimated that…
Source: Europol
The Polish Border Guard, supported by Europol, has successfully targeted a large criminal network smuggling migrants from Belarus and Russia into the EU. The investigation was conducted within the framework of a Europol Operational Task Force, made up of authorities from Austria, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. A Europol expert supported the operation on the ground in…
Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff
October 23, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Ireland’s Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Seán Clancy today at the Pentagon.
The military leaders discussed Ireland’s defense modernization efforts and the current security environment in the Middle East. Gen. Brown also thanked Ireland for its willingness to provide training and non-lethal aid to Ukraine in defense of its sovereign territory.
Gen. Brown congratulated Lt. Gen. Clancy on his recent election as the next chairman of the European Union Military Committee and stated he looks forward to welcoming Ireland’s first defense attaché to Washington.
Source: Eurojust
As organised crime groups increasingly exploit emerging technologies to facilitate their illicit activities, the need for effective and efficient collection of electronic evidence has become paramount. The meeting aimed to tackle the new legal challenges arising from the shift towards virtual evidence, and to identify best practices for Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) to support judicial and law enforcement authorities in obtaining electronic evidence across the EU and beyond.
Eurojust has been actively involved in supporting the gathering of electronic evidence and ensuring its admissibility in courts. The Agency, alongside Europol, has co-implemented the SIRIUS Project, which aims to enhance cooperation between judicial and law enforcement authorities, as well as service providers, to expedite access to electronic evidence across borders.
The meeting was opened by Eurojust President Mr Ladislav Hamran and Europol Executive Director Ms Catherine De Bolle.
In his opening remarks, President Hamran said, “The effective collection of electronic evidence is a crucial component of nearly all criminal investigations and prosecutions today. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing among JIT Experts, I’m confident we can develop innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of gathering, preserving, and exchanging electronic evidence, and ultimately strengthen our collective ability to bring criminals to justice.”
More than 85 participants attended the event, including 36 JIT National Experts from 23 EU Member States alongside representatives from the European Commission, eu-LISA, EJTN, ICC-OTP and OLAF.
For two decades, the JITs Network has been instrumental in facilitating the work of practitioners, encouraging the use of JITs, and promoting the exchange of experience and best practices. On this occasion, the JITs Network marked its 20th annual meeting. These annual meetings are a vital forum for JIT National Experts to discuss issues related to JITs and international cooperation; laying the foundation for trust and understanding that is essential for efficient cross-border collaboration.
Mr Piotr Radomski, one of the longest-standing JIT National Experts in the Network, stated: “The outstanding commitment of both past and present JIT National Experts, alongside the role the colleagues of the JITs Network Secretariat play, is evident to all practitioners fighting transnational crime. All of them are working with passion and dedication to further promote the idea of cooperation in the form of JITs.”
The JITs Network of National Experts on Joint Investigation Teams was established in 2005 to facilitate the work of practitioners, as well as to encourage the use of JITs and contribute to the sharing of experiences and best practices. The JITs Network Secretariat has been hosted by Eurojust since 2011.
Source: Interpol (news and events)
From artificial intelligence to climate change, the event will study trends impacting the global security landscape.
INCHEON, Korea – INTERPOL, in collaboration with the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), is convening the first-ever Future of Policing Congress to address emerging challenges facing law enforcement.
The two-day (23-24 October) event will take place alongside the Korea Police World Expo (KPEX) in Incheon, aiming to address the rapidly changing global security landscape and help prepare law enforcement agencies worldwide for the future.
Bringing together law enforcement leaders, industry experts, academics, and stakeholders from various sectors, the Congress will see delegates explore how global ‘megatrends’ will shape the future of policing.
The event will in turn serve as a platform for participants to identify potential future scenarios, understand their security implications and identify steps to prepare law enforcement to adapt.
INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:
“The Future of Policing Congress is not just a moment of reflection. It is a call to action. Recent years have taught us that the world changes faster than we ever could have imagined. Our ways of working, learning, and operating must keep pace.”
Commissioner General CHO Ji Ho, Korean National Police Agency said:
“Today’s Congress goes beyond simply talking about challenges in policing. It presents countries with an invaluable opportunity to canvass new possibilities in responding to technology-driven and engage with one another for better cooperation.”
In recent years, INTERPOL has expanded its strategic foresight capabilities to offer member countries ‘innovation-as-a-service, helping member countries anticipate emerging trends and threats.
Engaging with global experts from the public and private sectors, INTERPOL has rolled out initiatives such as the Future Foresight Lab, Young Global Police Leaders Programme and the Responsible AI Lab.
In 2023, INTERPOL launched Vision 2030 – a major initiative to help steer the strategic direction for the future of global law enforcement.
This was followed by the creation of the INTERPOL Future Council– a diverse group of experts that, from strategic futurists to legal practitioners, academics and young law enforcement voices, helps ensure INTERPOL remains at the forefront of global law enforcement innovation.
The Future of Policing Congress is organized into three sessions: the first explores future scenarios, the second examines their impact on law enforcement, and the final session focuses on how law enforcement can prepare to face future challenges.
The Congress, which was built as a hands-on workshop, is facilitated by academics and experts from private sector and international organizations. It utilizes innovative tools like discussions provoked by AI-generated videos and questions on specific topics.
The Future of Policing Congress looks at the future from 5 dimensions including social, technological, economic, environmental, and geopolitical landscapes. The impact on law enforcement will be explored in terms of evolution of crime, policing duties, data and evidence, and changing models of policing, trust and citizen expectations.
The path forward for law enforcement preparedness will encompass equipment and tools, skill sets, processes and procedures, organizational structures, and international cooperation.
The outcomes of the Congress will be compiled and disseminated to INTERPOL’s 196 member countries.
Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff
October 22, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan yesterday at the Pentagon.
Gen. Brown and Gen. Carignan reiterated that the defense of North America remains the No. 1 priority for both militaries. The leaders also discussed opportunities for further coordination.
Gen. Brown thanked Canada for its commitment to support security interests in the Arctic in partnership with other NATO allies and for its contributions in supporting Ukraine’s fight for freedom. Gen. Brown also commended Canada’s efforts of meeting its defense spending goal of two percent of gross domestic product by 2032.
Canada is a vital ally and plays a key role in defending North America and upholding the shared values of democracy and the rule of law.
For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
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