In the context of the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme, and building on ICAR’s previous operational engagements in Bulgaria in support of the country’s efforts to tackle corruption, ICAR is partnering with the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Bulgaria (PORB) to offer technical assistance and guidance in financial investigations and asset recovery. 

In May, ICAR participated in an initial technical workshop in Sofia sharing expert input into the analysis of existing asset recovery cases, as well as into the preparation of technical guidelines for asset tracing and seizure.

Subsequently, in mid-June, ICAR co-organised an expert coordination visit for members of the PORB to Switzerland where the Bulgarian delegation met with representatives of relevant Swiss institutions concerned with the fight against corruption and the trafficking of human beings. These included the Federal Money Laundering Reporting Office, the Federal Office of Police, the Federal Office of Justice as well as Switzerland’s specialised centre for the Advocacy and Support for Migrant Women and Victims of Trafficking (FIZ).

Additional support activities will be forthcoming in the context of this partnership arrangement in the second half of 2017.