INTERPOL delivers OSCE-supported workshop on fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property in Montenegro

INTERPOL’s Works of Art Unit delivered the second awareness-raising and basic training course on its systems on 6 and 7 November 2019 in Podgorica.

Supported by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, INTERPOL focused on what national law enforcement teams need to do to access INTERPOL investigations in a co-ordinated effort to fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The workshop, supported by the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship, is the continuation of the joint project facilitated in close co-operation with the OSCE Border Security and Management Unit of the Transnational Threats Department.

The workshop gathered 35 participants from the Police Directorate, Customs Administration, Agency for National Security, Ministry of Culture, National Museum, Museums and Galleries of Podgorica, National Commission of Montenegro for UNESCO, Ministry of Justice and the Prosecutor’s Office. It was a follow up to a workshop on supporting museums to create a national database of cultural artefacts.

Corrado Catesi, INTERPOL Co-ordinator in the Works of Art Unit, said: “Cultural heritage has been a target for criminals in the region. We at INTERPOL are there not only to share our international expertise with you, but to learn from your experience.”

The Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet said that this workshop is meant to strengthen the law enforcement services to address the illicit trafficking in cultural property and apply INTERPOL methods and practices that can respond to this transnational threat in co-ordination with relevant agencies, international organizations, private sector, and educational institutions.

Speaking on behalf of the OSCE Chairmanship, the Slovak Ambassador to Montenegro, Roman Hloben said the OSCE is committed to strengthen efforts to prevent and counter terrorism by undertaking measures for preventing terrorist financing that includes items of archaeological, historical, cultural, rare scientific and religious importance.

Selma Mehović, co-ordinator for international police co-operation in the Police Directorate, said that considering the transnational character of illegal trade in art and archaeological finds, Montenegro intensively co-operates with other countries in finding cultural assets, whether the theft took place in Montenegro or abroad.

Florian Krejsa from the OSCE Transnational Threats Department said that almost every country, especially Montenegro, with a rich history is either a source country, transit or destination country. “Keep your eyes open,” said Krejsa.

Nikola Šaranović, Director General of the Directorate for International Judicial Co-operation and Projects in the Justice Ministry said that the tools to support the prosecution of these criminal offences as well as preventive measures need strengthening. “The Council of Europe Convention on Offenses Relating to Cultural Property require databases of all cultural property; introduction of import and export controls; due diligence provisions for art and antiquities dealers, auction houses and other entities involved in the trade in cultural property; and an obligation to establish records of their turnover. These records should be made available to the competent authorities in accordance with domestic law,” said Šaranović.