On 24 – 25 February 2026, UNODC, through its Firearms Trafficking Section, organized a specialized training on the investigation and prosecution of firearms-related cases in Serbia.
Delivered in cooperation with the Criminalistic Police University and the Judicial Academy, the initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity of judges and prosecutors to effectively address firearms-related offences.
Over the two-day programme, participants enhanced their understanding of firearms and their essential components, ammunition, and explosive devices, combining technical knowledge with legal analysis. Discussions focused on key challenges in prosecuting and adjudicating firearms cases, including the legal qualification of offences, contentious legal questions, sentencing practices, and the ordering and assessment of firearms-related expert reports.
The training benefited from the expertise of a firearms specialist from the Criminalistic Police University and contributions from UNODC experts. It was further supported by the French Liaison Magistrate, who designated a prosecutor from the Organized Crime Department in Paris. The French expert provided practical insights into emerging threats related to firearms trafficking, firearms tracing methodologies, and international judicial cooperation, including collaboration through Eurojust.
Sessions were informed by UNODC’s specialized tools and resources, including the Training Manual for Handling Firearms-Related Cases, the Firearms Case Law Collection, and Guidance on the Use of Special Investigative Measures.
The project is funded by Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund, with support from the European Union.
