Financial Crime World

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Mozambique Secures Commitment for Financial Crime Investigation Techniques until 2027

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has agreed to extend its technical assistance to the Prosecutor General’s Office in Mozambique, enabling the continuation of a crucial financial crime investigation programme until 2027. The programme aims to build the capacity of Mozambican authorities to investigate and prosecute corruption and related financial crimes, as well as recover stolen assets.

Programme Achievements

The programme, implemented by the Basel Institute’s International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR), has achieved significant milestones since its inception in 2018. Some notable achievements include:

  • Creation and operationalization of the Central Asset Recovery Office (GCRA)
  • Progress in legislative and policy reform, including:
    • Introduction of an extended forfeiture regime
    • New law to strengthen anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing framework
    • Improvements to penal and penal procedural codes

Training and Capacity Building

During the first phase, ICAR experts delivered training to over 1,500 prosecutors, criminal investigators, financial investigators, and judges on topics such as:

  • Anti-money laundering
  • Corruption
  • Extended asset forfeiture
  • International cooperation
  • Asset recovery
  • Criminal investigation techniques

The programme is primarily funded by SDC and receives core funding from the governments of Jersey, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK.

Second Phase Focus

The second phase of the programme will focus on three main areas:

  • Enhancing the legal and institutional framework for anti-corruption, financial, and economic crime and asset recovery
  • Continuing to support institutional strengthening by advising on the creation of specialized entities within the Prosecutor General’s Office
  • Enhancing the skills of staff at anti-corruption institutions through specialized training and on-the-job mentoring

Anti-Corruption Initiative

The programme is part of a larger SDC-funded anti-corruption initiative aimed at reducing the political, economic, and social costs of corruption in Mozambique. The initiative seeks to create an environment that deters corrupt practices by public servants, office holders, private companies, and citizens.

Commendations

Ilaria Dali-Bernasconi, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Mozambique, commended the programme’s achievements, stating that it has significantly contributed to strengthening Mozambique’s capacity to combat corruption and economic and financial crime. Alberto Paulo, Deputy Public Prosecutor General of Mozambique, praised the efforts made by ICAR team members, noting that their work culminated in the approval of the Asset Recovery Law by Parliament.

Continuation of the Programme

The continuation of the programme is expected to further improve the country’s legislation on international legal and judicial cooperation in the fight against corruption, including through the adoption of the Civil Forfeiture Law.