Today, Podgorica hosted the Regional Conference titled “Seizure of Criminal Assets – Implementation of National and International Standards and Judicial Practice”. The conference was organised by the AIRE Centre’s Western Balkans Programme and the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office of Montenegro, supported by the British Embassy in Podgorica.
Dawn McKen, the British Ambassador to Montenegro, emphasised that this conference highlights the importance of cooperation among institutions and that the UK supports efforts in this field across the region. “The United Kingdom will continue to support Montenegro in strengthening the judiciary and the fight against crime,” Ambassador McKen stressed.
“Criminal groups operate for financial gain. By seizing assets acquired through crime, we dismantle their system and thereby reduce criminal activity. Asset seizure is not merely a punishment – it is a means of preventing future criminal activities. The UK has demonstrated that tracking financial flows is key in the fight against organised crime. Crime does not stop at borders, and neither should the fight against it. That is why we support these efforts on a regional level,” the Ambassador underlined.
“The United Kingdom offers its expertise so that others can learn from it. Montenegro is already addressing these issues but can further improve the system to make asset seizure even faster and more efficient. It is important that citizens see the benefits of recovered assets,” said Ambassador McKen.
The Supreme State Prosecutor, Milorad Marković, stated that financial investigations will be a key focus of the State Prosecutor’s Office this year. He expects not only the Special Prosecutor’s Office but also higher and basic state prosecutor’s offices to deliver significant results in this area. In order to ensure effective and uniform proceedings, he has issued a binding instruction to all state prosecutor’s offices for conducting financial investigations. This instruction is part of a series of activities aimed at a more proactive approach by the State Prosecutor’s Office in the fight against organised crime and corruption at all levels.
“This instruction obliges state prosecutors, with the aim of comprehensively determining the true origin, value, and structure of assets, income, and living expenses of the accused, to collect data and evidence during financial investigations indicating the scope, amount, type, and real value of assets belonging to the accused, their legal predecessor, legal successor, family member, or a third party as defined by Article 7 of the Law on the Seizure of Criminal Assets,” emphasised Supreme State Prosecutor Marković.
Biljana Braithwaite, Director of the AIRE Centre, highlighted that the region is making progress in these areas and that positive trends are becoming evident. “Seizing illegally acquired assets is one of the most powerful mechanisms in the fight against organised crime. The key to success lies in effective international cooperation – data exchange, coordination of investigations, and swift action by judicial institutions. Only through joint efforts can we prevent the transfer of illegal assets across borders and ensure that crime does not remain profitable. We are making progress and already seeing tangible results, but the entire process takes time. What is encouraging is that institutions are increasingly demonstrating a willingness to cooperate, strengthen their capacities, and apply the law more effectively,” she stated.
Ladislav Hamran, former President of EUROJUST and an expert in the field, emphasised in his address: “The effective implementation of financial investigations is a key pillar in the fight against organised crime in the EU. Financial transparency and robust oversight mechanisms are crucial in preventing money laundering and recovering criminal assets, ensuring their reintegration into the legal economy. As part of the broader EU strategy, promoting international cooperation and strengthening prosecutorial capacities remain essential for ensuring a transparent and effective judicial process. These measures not only protect economies but also reinforce trust in the rule of law.”
The conference featured two panel discussions. The first panel, titled “Financial Investigations – Standards and Practice”, brought together experts from the judiciary and prosecution, including Jelena Grdinić, Director General at the Ministry of Justice of Montenegro; Miroslav Turković, Special Prosecutor from the Special State Prosecutor’s Office of Montenegro; and Milena Božović, Prosecutor at the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade.
The second panel, “Asset Sharing of Permanently Seized Criminal Proceeds”, provided participants with insights into the experiences of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. Speakers on this topic included Danijela Raspović Tomac from USKOK; Sanela Latić, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Vladimir Ćeklić, Assistant Director of the Directorate for the Management of Seized Assets of the Republic of Serbia.
The conference gathered over 70 participants from Montenegro and the region, underscoring its significance as a platform for exchanging experiences and enhancing international cooperation in the field of asset recovery.
