In response to the recent wave of new electronic payment methods, including cryptocurrencies, the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) has developed training on money laundering using cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin.

At the invitation of the Romanian-American University in Bucharest, ICAR trainers delivered training on “Money Laundering using Cryptocurrencies and International Co-operation” for students during 27–29 November 2018.

Dr. Oscar Solórzano, Country Manager of the Basel Institute on Governance - Peru Office, had the honour of participating in Peru’s XI National Congress of Judges on 22 November, 2018.

Dr Solórzano's presentation took place within the framework of the primary theme of the congress, namely the prevention and combating of corruption. The event was opened by the President of the Republic of Peru, Dr. Martín Vizcarra Cornejo.

Around 60 justice officials, including judges and prosecutors, from the Peruvian provinces of San Martín and Piura, have participated in a training course entitled "Studies on Asset Recovery and International Judicial Cooperation in Corruption and Other Financial Crimes".

The Basel Institute on Governance welcomes the recent decisions by courts in Luxembourg and Switzerland to return almost USD 17 million to Peru in cases related to the regime of former Peruvian President Fujimori. We congratulate the involved authorities in Peru, Luxemburg and Switzerland for the successful conclusion of these 15-year old cases. We are honoured to have been able to support this successful outcome.

Swiss authorities have executed an extrajudicial agreement signed between Peru and Montesinos' frontman.

Peruvian authorities and Víctor Venero Garrido, the main frontman of former presidential advisor Vladimiro Montesinos, signed an out-of-court settlement to return approximately USD 15 million from Switzerland to Peru. The money comes from corrupt dealings during the 1990s and the case has lasted 17 years. This is the third and largest of the five accounts located in Switzerland whose assets will be returned to Peru.

The decision that Jersey shall become a core donor to the Basel Institute’s International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) for a three-year period has been signed by Jersey’s Treasury Minister on Friday 11 May 2018.  With this decision, Jersey joins Liechtenstein, Switzerland and the United Kingdom in supporting the implementation of ICAR’s Operational Strategy which has been developed jointly with ICAR’s donors and partner countries.

The Basel Institute on Governance and Ecuador's Financial and Economic Analysis Unit (Unidad de Análisis Financiero y Económico, UAFE) have signed a Case Consultancy Agreement. The agreement, signed on 29 November during the Basel Institute's third mission to Quito, sets out general lines of mutual cooperation in areas related to the fight against corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes.

The Basel Institute is providing anti-corruption guidance services to SMEs as part of the UK government's pioneering Business Integrity Initiative. 

Subsidised by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for eligible SMEs, the guidance services are focused on:

• Anti-corruption compliance
• Corruption and bribery prevention
• Anti-corruption Collective Action

Find out more about the services and how to apply for support.

In November 2018, students from the Peruvian regions of San Martín, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Apurimac and Cusco graduated with a Diploma in Management and Public Finances. This successful capacity-building initiative is thanks to a partnership between ESAN University in the Peruvian capital Lima and the Subnational Public Finance Management program funded by SECO and implemented by the Basel Institute on Governance.