Within the framework of the bilateral programme entitled "Strengthening the legal regime against terrorism in Yemen", UNODC/TPB held three workshops for criminal justice officers from Yemen on the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of terrorism cases, with a special focus on financing of terrorism. The activities included two moot courts and one specialized training. The workshops were held in Amman from 13-20 May 2016.
UNODC/TPB developed two real life situation moot courts, with the first focusing on crimes related to the financing of terrorism, while the second focused on the incitement and glorification of terrorism, which were conducted by representatives of key Yemeni counter-terrorism institutions. Participants were also provided with complementary presentations of relevant counter-terrorism topics in order to ensure a comprehensive approach to counter the financing of terrorism. The third workshop was an advanced training on emerging risks of terrorist financing.
About 18 Yemeni senior criminal justice officials participated in these events. Due to the current political instability in Yemen and the continuous armed clashes, UNODC/TPB had to carry out the workshops in Jordan, and made necessary logistical and travel arrangements for participants from relatively stable Yemen's provinces.
The moot court constituted an excellent opportunity for both UNODC/TPB experts and Yemeni participants to highlight real gaps and difficulties faced when investigating and prosecuting terrorism financing cases in Yemen. Apart from that, experts highlighted the necessity to update the counter-terrorism legal framework in Yemen by drafting a special counter-terrorism law that reflects all international legal requirements and allows to criminalize all acts that have been internationally recognized as acts of terrorism.
Delegates also underlined the need to provide technical assistance in updating and modernizing investigation techniques to enhance the investigation of terrorism-related cases.
In addition, UNODC/TPB organized a specialized training for a group of seven law enforcement officials hosted by the Cyber Terrorism Unit of the Guardia Civil in Madrid from 2-4 June 2016. The three-day specialized training on the use of special investigation techniques in criminal investigations included technical and operational sessions on anonymous surfing, cyber security, computer forensics and mobile forensics, e-mail investigations, conducting research on social networks, the deep web, as well as a visit to the digital investigation laboratory.
Yemeni authorities requested UNODC/TPB to further support the national efforts in developing legislation covering computer-related offences and assist in the establishment of a digital forensic laboratory.
