During the mutual evaluation, the authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan demonstrated their commitment and determination in the fight against terrorism and its financing. The level of terrorist threat in Uzbekistan, has significantly decreased over the past 10 years as the result of the effective work of the competent authorities, legislative and judicial authorities.
Amendments have been made to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Combating Terrorism” and the Criminal Code, in which the composition of the Terrorism Financing is separated into a separate article. All this allowed the authorized departments to understand the importance of countering not only terrorist activity, but also eliminating the sources of its financial support. Over the past 5 years, 58 people were convicted in Terrorist Financing (TF) cases, and the total number of cases brought to trial and adjudicated by the court was 45.
These results were made possible with the active support of UNODC in the implementation of the objectives of the national strategy provisions to improve measures to combat Money Laundering /Terrorism Financing.
The Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Academy), the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Department) in partnership with UNODC to advance further work, taking into account the recommendations received by the experts of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, held a three-day seminar: "Money Laundering - Financial Investigation, Criminal Prosecution and Trial" in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Some 25 representative of competent authorities took part in the seminar, including representative of judiciary who participate for the first time.
Deputy Head of the Law Enforcement Academy, Mr. U. Nigmadjanov noted the importance of following the recommendations of EAG’s international experts regarding the investigation and trial of cases related to the legalization of criminal proceeds. There are cases when an acquittal is issued in criminal cases or there is not enough evidence for a guilty verdict. ” This training will increase the effectiveness of financial investigations, strengthen the capacity of the judiciary in handling money laundering cases and will strengthen interagency cooperation of all participants”.
The participants considered the features of the international criminal law characteristic of the Money Laundering crime, the complexity of the process of proving the legalization of criminal proceeds, performed practical exercises and studied the possibilities of applying international standards and practice in Uzbekistan.
As a result of the training, the UNODC Regional Advisor, Mr. Aliaksandr Vadziany noted the high interest in collecting and evaluating evidence, identifying signs of money laundering on the part of the judiciary and representatives of the prosecutor's office, who support the prosecution in court. According to the speaker, it was possible to significantly improve the understanding of legalization methods and increase the interaction of law enforcement officers with representatives of the court.
The training was organized with the expert support of the UNODC Global program on counter money laundering, proceeds of crimes and the financing of terrorism (GPML), with financial support from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the US Department of State (INL).
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For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko
Communication and PR Specialist
UNODC Criminal Justice sub-programme in Central Asia
UNODC POKYR at +996775987817
vasilina.brazhko[at]un.org
