OSCE Mission to Serbia and Prosecutor`s Office for Organized Crime jointly support more efficient seizure of proceeds from crime

Some 40 court presidents, prosecutors, judges, deputy prosecutors and representatives of the Ministry of Interior`s Service for Combating Organized Crime discussed the impact of recently introduced amendments to the Law on Seizure of the Proceeds from Crime during the joint OSCE Mission to Serbia/Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (POOC) roundtable discussion in Belgrade on 16 June 2017.

The event, the first stock-taking exercise organized after the amendments entered into force, represented an invaluable opportunity for judges, prosecutors and police officers to express their views and exchange best practices.

“Seizing unlawfully gained assets is not, and should not, be perceived as a punishment, but as an expression of one of the basic criminal law principles: that no one should benefit from illegal activities,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Andrea Orizio.

“The enforcement of this principle simultaneously achieves restorative and preventive goals. This is one of the main tools for preventing large amounts of illicit money from entering the legal economy,” he added.

The forum presented an opportunity to openly discuss practical challenges and potential shortcomings of the law.

The event is an example of the long-standing, successful co-operation and partnership between the OSCE and the Prosecutor`s Office for Organized Crime and is part of their joint efforts to strengthen the Serbian criminal justice system and particularly the fight against organized crime.