UNODC Trains Prosecutors of Kazakhstan on Asset Recovery within the Framework of its CASC Network

To enable more effective investigation and prosecution of transnational organized crimes, Kazakhstan introduced a string of far-reaching novelties into new edition of its Criminal Procedure Code in 2014. Among those are the provisions on non-conviction based confiscation of crime proceeds (entering into force in 1 January 2018), establishment and operation of international joint investigation teams, and use of videoconferencing in the processing of the requests on mutual legal assistance and/or extradition.

In this context, in follow-up to the UNODC CASC network Third Plenary Meeting, which addressed the issues informal and formal international cooperation for the purpose of recovery of proceeds from organized crime, the General Prosecutor Office of Kazakhstan requested UNODC to organize a training workshop on similar issues for prosecutors of Kazakhstan.   

Mr. Andrey Kravchenko, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan, while inaugurating the workshop, said "With Kazakhstan's GDP growth, the business in Kazakhstan is developing relations with many countries of the world. But besides those advantages that this increase brings, there are disadvantages in that the criminals of Kazakhstan are able to withdraw their assets from the country. At the same time they are counting that the law enforcement agencies of Kazakhstan are unlikely to find ways and tools in order to confiscate the proceeds of crime transferred to foreign jurisdictions. In some cases, their hopes are justified…. All this underlines the relevance and importance of the training workshop."

A two and half day of interactive training workshop conducted by UNODC in cooperation with the Academy of Law Enforcement Authorities under the General Prosecutor Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) from 29 September to 1 October in Astana provided an opportunity for around 30 prosecutors of the General Prosecutor Office and regional prosecution offices, as well as officers of the Committee on Financial Monitoring (FIU) and State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of Kazakhstan to enhance their knowledge and skills in tracing, seizing, confiscating and recovering crime proceeds from foreign jurisdictions. The training was delivered by the experts (prosecutors, FIU and law enforcement officers) from Germany, Jersey (British Islands), Latvia, Russian Federation, Switzerland, USA, as well as PWC and UNODC.

Apart from receiving knowledge, skills, practical tools and recommendations, the participants were provided with the useful contact details of the foreign MLA Central Authorities, FIU and police authorities. They appreciated the opportunity to meet and learn from the practitioners from the main transit and destinations countries, to establish useful professional contacts and receive answers to their numerous questions from foreign counterparts who dealt with the MLA requests of Kazakhstan.       

In concluding remarks, Deputy Director of the Institute of the General Prosecutor Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Mr. Shakir Shayahmetov - noted "For the last few years, this is the first time that we had such a knowledgeable pool of trainers with hands-on experiences who directly deal with the issues discussed."