The second module of the training on processing standalone money laundering offences, has further strengthened capacities of 30 selected prosecutors, police officers and judges to collect, preserve and evaluate electronic evidence in money laundering cases.  The training was based on analysis of actual closed cases in Serbia and identified challenges in collection and preservation of electronic evidence, procedural powers and safeguards, and offered practical and innovative solutions for these challenges.  During the first day, participants were also introduced to the complexities of money laundering using cryptocurrencies, new typologies and challenges in the recovery and management of virtual assets.

The second day of the training was dedicated to strengthening the effectiveness of international cooperation, making use of available mechanisms and the strategic approach to international cooperation based on the specifics of the requested state. The admissibility of electronic evidence obtained from other countries, in particular encrypted communication, was discussed and the jurisprudence of Belgian Supreme Court was presented. Finally, participants had the opportunity to apply in practice the newly acquired knowledge, on a real-life inspired case study on money laundering through virtual currencies affecting multiple jurisdictions.

Participants from key agencies, such as the Supreme Court, Appellate Courts from Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis and Kragujevac, Supreme Public Prosecutor Office, Prosecution for Organised Crime, Higher Prosecution from Novi Sad, Belgrade, Nis and Kraljevo, and Ministry of Interior, Department for Suppression of Organised Financial Crime, actively engaged in group exercises and presentations.

The activity has taken place within the Project “Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in Serbia”, funded by the Swedish International Development Agency, and implemented by the Council of Europe.