Press Release
The special sections for the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, financial crimes and the sequestration and confiscation of criminal assets are established in the prosecutor's offices at the district courts.
Tirana, 14 September 2020.
In the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation no. 1079, dated 15.07.2020 signed among the General Prosecutor, the Minister of Finance and Economy (including GDPML, GDC and GDT) and the Minister of Interior (including GDSP and AASCA) “On the increase of the effectiveness of investigations related to money laundering, terrorist financing, financial crimes and confiscation of criminal assets, so as to meet the recommendations of the SAC and FATF as well as the ICRG / FATF Action Plan and pursuant to the General Instruction of the General Prosecutor, no.10 dated 17.07.2020 "On administrative and procedural measures for the increase of effectiveness in the fight against money laundering, financial crimes, terrorist financing and property investigations in the prosecutions of general jurisdiction", during September, the special sections in seven prosecutions near the courts of Tirana, Durrës, Shkodër, Elbasan, Fier, Vlora and Korçë were established and have started the work.
There are 23 prosecutors, part of special sections, who will be specifically engaged in investigations related to crimes in the field of taxation, customs, money laundering, terrorist financing, and seizure and confiscation of criminal assets. Through the establishment of these structures, it is aimed at increasing the efficiency in the investigation and trial of these criminal offenses as well as cracking down the illegally placed assets.
Specialized units in the General Directorate of State Police, Directorate of Taxation, Directorate of Customs and Directorate for the Prevention of Money Laundering will support the established structures. Their work will be supported on central level by the coordination of the General Prosecutor's Office with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Finance that will guarantee the necessary support for their well-functioning.
The General Prosecutor's Office, considering that the financial crimes and money laundering have become a serious concern for the country, is engaged in cooperation with relevant institutions to meet the recommendations of the Stabilization and Association Committee (SAC), between Albania and European Union as well as the ICRG / FATF Action Plan.