Forensic Analysis in Financial Investigations Boosts Bulgaria’s Fight Against Corruption

In a significant effort to combat corruption and recover stolen public funds, an international training program on financial investigations and asset recovery was recently conducted in Sofia, Bulgaria. The National Institute of Justice hosted the five-day training session from May 15-19, which was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation under the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme.

Training Program Details

The training program brought together 22 participants from various law enforcement agencies, including judges, prosecutors, police officers, and representatives from state anti-corruption, revenue, and security departments. Nine of the participants were women.

Hands-on Approach

The training aimed to foster cross-agency cooperation among criminal justice system officials by dividing them into five-person investigative teams that worked independently throughout the program. The hands-on approach included a simulated investigation, where participants analyzed large volumes of data, gathered evidence, and established a basis for asset confiscation.

Practical Learning Experience

Participants praised the practical learning experience, with one commenting:

“The training was extremely useful, especially the practical exercise and the way in which the investigation was actually carried out, with separate steps and the provision of information in chunks.”

Using Technology

Each participant used computers to access the Basel LEARN virtual platform, where all training materials were available. The automated environment allowed participants to gain new skills in real-time, including computer literacy for analyzing banking information and analytical thinking.

Special Presentation

A special feature of the training was a presentation by Judge Denitsa Valkova from the Supreme Court of Cassation on recent jurisprudence related to money laundering in Bulgaria. The judge provided practical recommendations on gathering evidence and presenting it in court, sparking discussions on proof of illegal origin and predicate offenses.

Value of the Presentation

The conversation was particularly useful for participants, with one prosecutor commenting:

“It was very helpful to explain how to differentiate between the stages in criminal activity – where and with which transactions the predicate offense ends and where money laundering begins.”