UNODC started the Court Preparation Project for practitioners from Bosnia and Herzegovina

11-14 June 2024, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The UNODC's Global Programme against Money Laundering (GPML) delivered a comprehensive four-day capacity building training course in Mostar, for judges, prosecutors and expert associates from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The training focused on enhancing the knowledge and skills of participants in handling cases of money laundering (ML) and terrorism financing (TF), and included sessions on legal frameworks, investigative techniques, case management, and international cooperation. The Points to Prove, Case Preparation and Case Management is the first capacity-building training course to be delivered under the AML/CFT Court Preparation project, which includes four progressively advanced courses that focus on various legal capacity-building areas.

Participants went through the international AML/CFT legal frameworks and specific legal definitions within the AML legislative framework and in-depth sessions on establishing the elements of the money laundering offense, combining theoretical knowledge with practical examples. A comprehensive case study on ML provided practical insights into the theoretical concepts discussed. During the training, participants explored legal definitions within the CFT legislative framework of BiH and addressed the elements of terrorism financing offenses including case studies focusing on the main challenges in TF investigations. Participants engaged in practical sessions on initiating TF investigations, followed by a case study and sourcing information including international confiscation modalities and developments. The experts who delivered the training shared the European court decisions on irregularities during the investigation/prosecution phase and how it can be implemented in the legal system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Course materials also incorporate the domestic legislative framework used when prosecuting and seeking convictions of terrorists, terrorist networks and organized criminal groups.

In general, the training provided a robust platform for participants to enhance their understanding and capabilities in tackling ML and TF cases. The combination of theoretical sessions, practical exercises, and case studies ensured a comprehensive learning experience, equipping participants with the necessary tools to effectively manage and investigate financial crimes.

The capacity building training course was financially supported by the Bureau of Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State, USA. The training program is implemented by UNODC’s Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism (GPML) and the Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe (ROSEE).