of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sign Cooperation Protocol
15–16 April 2025, Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) – The Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office in Sarajevo and the Agency for the Management of Seized Assets in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) have formally signed a cooperation protocol.
Developed with UNODC support, the agreement will enable full application of standards from the new European Union Directive 2024/1260 on asset recovery and confiscation (referring to planning before confiscation). Through joint trainings and capacity building, support to witnesses, appointment of focal points and other operational interaction, the agreement is expected to significantly improve cooperation among these two institutions.
The signing ceremony of the new protocol took place during a two-day practitioners training on the topic of “Detection and Confiscation of Illegally Acquired Assets in General Crime Cases” organized by UNODC in cooperation with the two institutions.
This training brought together over 30 prosecutors, financial investigators, and other law enforcement officials to enhance their operational knowledge and promote inter-institutional cooperation on financial investigations in general crime cases. Participants explored practical and legal challenges related to the confiscation of criminal proceeds and extended confiscation in BiH and researched a dozen real cases of general crime involving significant asset confiscations. In this manner, the workshop highlighted best practices in applying temporary measures for asset seizures and conducting quick financial investigations resulting in confiscations.
UNODC facilitated the training and the signing of the cooperation protocol within the framework of the project “Strengthening the capacity and coordination of judiciary and law enforcement authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to effectively address corruption and organized crime”, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
This initiative is part of UNODC’s broader efforts to promote the effective implementation of international standards in combating organized crime and corruption under the Regional Programme for South-Eastern Europe.
