Enhancing Integrity and Effectiveness of Illegal Asset Confiscation - European Approaches
On August 28, 2013 a meeting of the international team working within the “Illegal Asset Confiscation” project was held in Sofia. The initiative is implemented by Transparency International – Bulgaria in partnership with the national chapters of Transparency International in Italy and Romania.
During the two-day forum, experts from Bulgaria, Italy and Romania discussed the issues regarding forfeiture of illegally acquired assets in the context of the projects goals and expected outcome. The project team united in the understanding that confiscation of assets acquired from criminal activity is an effective mechanism when implemented in an open and transparent way. The confiscation of illegal asset will increase citizen trust in the public institutions involved in combating organized crime and corruption.
The forum participants also discussed the methodology for the analysis of the legal framework and institutional policies of the Asset Recovery Offices in the three countries. The analysis will be carried out between September and December 2013, and will include a thorough study of the existing legislation, as well as the procedures and practices for asset confiscation in the light of the principles of transparency, integrity, accountability and efficiency.
The analysis will particularly focus on issues related to management and utilization of seized assets, which are an integral part of the entire mechanism for protection of public interest. The preparation of the analysis also takes into account the opinions of judges, prosecutors, lawyers, experts and NGOs.
The assessment of the efficiency of the explored models for forfeiture of illegal assets will step upon the implemented research on country-specific mechanisms for confiscation and its findings. The analysis will serve as a foundation for preparation of methodology and indicators for civil monitoring of the activities of the Asset Recovery Offices in Bulgaria, Romania and Italy.
The study will contribute towards improvement of the cooperation between confiscation authorities, as well as the establishment of minimum standard for effective asset forfeiture in European context.