Financial Crime Prosecution Strategies in Armenia Receive Boost from International Experts
Armenia has made significant strides in its fight against corruption and economic crimes, with the establishment of a dedicated chain of law enforcement and criminal justice institutions to specifically target these offenses. However, challenges remain for authorities to conduct comprehensive financial investigations and effectively use results for prosecution and asset recovery.
Building Capacity through Training
To bridge this gap, the Council of Europe has delivered two training courses on “Using Financial Investigations to Fight Economic Crime and Recover Assets” to 65 representatives from investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial authorities involved in anti-corruption and anti-money laundering efforts. The training events followed the production of a technical guidance package on financial investigations into money laundering and terrorism financing.
- Participants learned about international standards and latest practices
- Covered specificities of the Armenian system, including recent legal reforms
- Examined, discussed, and experimented with the use of financial investigations
The practical capacity-building exercise brought together different functions of the investigative, law enforcement, and judicial system against corruption and other economic crimes. It aimed to improve the skills of professionals in financial investigations and stimulate inter-agency cooperation at the national level.
Enhancing Inter-Agency Cooperation
Participants reflected on their respective roles, capacities, and possible contributions to improving the quality and effectiveness of financial investigations in Armenia. The training also helped identify areas for improvement and potential challenges in conducting joint operations and sharing information among agencies.
Strengthening Anti-Corruption Efforts
Deputy Minister of Justice Armenuhi Harutyunyan expressed gratitude for the support provided by the European Union and the Council of Europe, highlighting the importance of the training courses for the country’s anti-corruption efforts. The Council of Europe will continue to help build national capacities against economic crime in Armenia through a series of follow-up activities based on identified needs.
Project Background
The Project “Strengthening institutional capacities to fight and prevent corruption in Armenia” is co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe under its Partnership for Good Governance II program.