On 5 July 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers took note of the information report prepared by the Ministry of the Interior regarding the strengthening of the capacity to investigate economic crime. The report aims to inform about the development measures and investments planned for the establishment of the Anti-money laundering (AML) Innovation Center in the fight against money laundering and strengthening the capacity to investigate economic crime. Investment is planned from the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The total financing of the AML innovation center for EUR 1 474 010 is planned to be covered by the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Strengthening the capacity of investigating economic crime is expected to cover €1 050 000 from the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
One of the objectives of the reforms under the Recovery and Resilience Facility in the field of law is the strengthening of the capacity to identify money laundering, terrorism or proliferation, as well as the promotion of the rule of law and the strengthening identification or detection of money laundering, fraud, financial, economic crime. The involvement and professionalism of specialized investigators in the investigation and adjudication of economic crimes is also intended to be strengthened.
In order to achieve the objectives of this reform, the establishment and equipping of an AML innovation center, the procurement of information technologies for knowledge exchange and information protection, data and hypothesis analysis is planned. A new international reporting system for suspicious transactions was also introduced, which will ensure not only the integrity, security and confidentiality of data, but also the compliance of the processes of the Financial Intelligence Service, which is the leading authority in preventing money laundering, with international standards.
While ensuring the strengthening of the capacity of the State Police, it is intended to purchase from the financing of the Recovery and Resilience Facility the necessary technical equipment for the performance of procedural activities for investigators, as well as technical means adapted to mobile and remote working conditions, including regional departments. Training in economic and environmental crime will also be organized. In addition, a progress report on the implementation of the State Police Development Recommendations will be developed with an implementation progress plan approved by the State Police, which will ensure the effectiveness of the investigation of long-term proceeds from crime by increasing by 40% by the beginning of 2025 the increase in the proportion of criminal proceedings released for criminal prosecution and the share of open environmental crime criminal proceedings.
These investments will also ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission and Moneyval, as well as the optimization and quality strengthening of internal processes aimed at eliminating duplication of functions and ensuring the simplification of internal processes and improving the quality of pre-trial investigations.
PHOTO: Freepik
