[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":280},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-test-timeline-2555":3,"news-test-timeline-2555-similar":27,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":275},[4],{"id":5,"status":6,"date_created":7,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":15,"activity":16,"nid":17,"topics":18,"activities":19,"programme":8,"area":8,"websites":8,"language":20,"image":8,"translation_of":8,"countries":21,"tags":22,"authors":23,"images":24,"translations":25,"content":26},10629,"published","2026-06-04T21:14:01.000Z",null,"Test timeline","News","\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fembed.timepath.co\u002Ftimeline\u002FKzDeHboYLSxO1NnzNtjy\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>","2023-12-11",[14],"","test-timeline-2555",[14],2555,[],[],"English",[],[],[],[],[],[],[28,49,72,104,138,168,190,210,252],{"id":29,"body":30,"status":6,"type":31,"date":32,"slug":33,"title":34,"image":35,"countries":36,"topic":37,"activity":38,"tags":39,"nid":40,"topics":41,"activities":42,"authors":43,"images":44,"websites":8,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":20,"translations":45,"translation_of":8,"user_created":46,"date_created":7,"user_updated":8,"date_updated":8,"content":47,"link":48},10630,"\u003Ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"600\" title=\"Basel Institue 20th anniversary\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fembed.timepath.co\u002Fembed\u002Ffree?type=timeline\" frameborder=\"0\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>(function(){window.onmessage=(e)=>{if ( e.origin===\"[https:\u002F\u002Fembed.timepath.co](https:\u002F\u002Fembed.timepath.co)\" && e.data.hasOwnProperty(\"frameHeight\") ){document.getElementById(e.data.timelineId).height=\\`${e.data.frameHeight}\\`;}};})();","Blog","2023-11-28","timeline-test-blog-2544","timeline test blog","\u002Fpics\u002Fimg-placeholder.png",[],[14],[14],[],2544,[],[],[],[],[],"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ftimeline-test-blog-2544",{"id":50,"body":51,"status":6,"type":31,"date":52,"slug":53,"title":54,"image":55,"countries":56,"topic":57,"activity":58,"tags":60,"nid":61,"topics":62,"activities":63,"authors":64,"images":65,"websites":8,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":20,"translations":66,"translation_of":8,"user_created":46,"date_created":67,"user_updated":68,"date_updated":69,"content":70,"link":71},10600,"_Reflections by Francesca Grandi, PhD (Transparency International Defence & Security), Elizabeth Andersen and Juhani Grossmann (Basel Institute on Governance) from the Munich Security Conference 2026._\n\nEurope’s ambitious defence spending plans will only pay off if corruption risks are taken seriously. At our joint roundtable at the Munich Security Conference, industry and political leaders agreed: transparency and strong anti-corruption safeguards are essential if higher spending is to deliver technological innovation, real security gains and voter trust. It is time to place integrity at the centre of Europe’s defence agenda.\n\nAt the 2026 Munich Security Conference, political leaders spoke with urgency about readiness, deterrence, industrial capacity and the need to mobilise unprecedented levels of public and private financing. The tone was sober, the geopolitical risks real and the commitments delivered with a sense of urgency. \n\nThe presence of the defence industry was impossible to miss. Private sector actors were actively engaged in shaping the debate, not only across panels and more informally, but also with a [gigantic billboard](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gettyimages.nl\u002Fdetail\u002Fnieuwsfoto%27s\u002Fan-advertisement-for-helsing-gmbh-near-the-venue-for-the-nieuwsfotos\u002F2260760403) “We Got This” directly in front of the conference venue. \n\nWhat we _didn’t_ get was much focus on governance.\n\n### With money comes responsibility – and corruption risks\n\nEurope’s defence architecture is being reshaped at historic speed and scale. As we convened our joint [roundtable](https:\u002F\u002Fti-defence.org\u002Fti-ds-munich-security-conference-2026\u002F), _Get the Balance Right: Capability, Integrity and Effectiveness in Europe’s Emerging Defence Architecture_, one theme stood out: this build-up is vital to European security. But it is also a systemic governance test.\n\nThe scale of financing under discussion is enormous. Meeting Europe’s defence commitments is estimated to require additional financing of around 2 percent of EU [GDP](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ecb.europa.eu\u002Fpress\u002Fblog\u002Fdate\u002F2025\u002Fhtml\u002Fecb.blog20250725~f26b4ef0f3.en.html). At this magnitude, even small governance gaps could translate into billions lost to misallocation, corruption, or fraud. Governance infrastructure must scale in line with spending.\n\nAccelerated procurement, emergency procedures and exceptional budgetary tools are being justified with the urgency of the task, which is understandable. But without enhanced safeguards, they risk:\n\n*   heightening fragmentation, overpricing, undue influence, and fiscal distortion; \n*   weakening transparency and reducing opportunities for civic monitoring; and \n*   limiting the parliamentary and independent oversight that is necessary to maintain the democratic legitimacy of defence investments.\n\n### More spending doesn’t mean more security\n\nThe lesson from past [crises](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cambridge.org\u002Fcore\u002Fjournals\u002Fjournal-of-public-policy\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-bigger-health-budgets-cushion-pandemics-an-empirical-test-of-covid19-deaths-across-the-world\u002F34DA705F15995903F26A72C4E33C9DDE) is clear: spending more does not automatically deliver more security. Defence build-up without governance produces predictable and avoidable [risks](https:\u002F\u002Fti-defence.org\u002Fgdi\u002F). Transparency and oversight are not luxuries – they are force multipliers.\n\nThis is not a marginal issue. Weak governance undermines defence readiness as surely as underinvestment does. It erodes public trust. It fuels political polarisation. It creates openings for foreign interference and [strategic corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fqg37). And it risks turning today’s security investments into tomorrow’s legitimacy crises.\n\nAcross panels and side conversations, we repeatedly heard that “the money is there.” What remains contested is how to spend it wisely. How to balance speed with scrutiny? How to ensure that urgent injections of capital do not come at the expense of robust internal controls? How can transparent spending foster flexibility and innovation in defence technology?\n\n### Acknowledging the problem is the first step to solving it\n\nAt our event in Munich, participants spoke candidly about the tension between scaling production and modernising compliance systems, the political consequences of potential scandals and the perceived trade-offs between oversight and urgency. \n\nIn separate [conversations](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fukraines-place-europes-defence-industry-could-compliance-catalyse-integration), Ukrainian partners described the dual challenge of mobilising wartime production at the same time as they are strengthening anti-corruption standards, all the while living and working under existential threat. \n\nOne structural risk clearly stands out: no single authority is responsible for safeguarding integrity across Europe’s evolving defence ecosystem.\n\nBut how do we embed integrity into the EU's defence architecture?\n\n*   First, protect a transparency baseline, even under urgency. Accelerated procedures cannot mean suspended scrutiny. Parliamentary access to information, audit trails, and structured civilian oversight must remain operational. Where secrecy is required, tailored transparency can still reinforce accountability, especially when normal procurement rules are set aside. \n*   Second, hardwire integrity into new defence financing tools. From day one, EU and national instruments should require machine-readable procurement data, beneficial ownership disclosure, conflict-of-interest controls, and interoperable oversight systems. \n*   Third, regulate influence where money and policy meet. Public–private cooperation should not blur lines of accountability. As industry access expands, so must lobbying transparency, cooling-off periods, and enforceable revolving-door rules. \n*   Fourth, align regulation with effectiveness. Smart, predictable standards reduce risk premiums, limit market distortion, and create fair entry points to stimulate innovation.\n*   Fifth, designate a clear political authority responsible for governance of Europe’s defence architecture. A harmonised anti-corruption framework requires defined leadership. Otherwise, oversight will continue to fall between institutions and funding mechanisms.\n\n### Is Europe serious about governance and democratic accountability?\n\nMSC 2026 demonstrated that Europe is serious about rearmament. The question now is whether it is equally serious about governance.\n\nEuropean citizens will only support sustained defence spending, and the social trade-offs that come with it, if they trust that resources are used strategically and with integrity. That trust can only be secured through robust oversight, transparency, and accountability. \n\nIf we are committed to long-term security – beyond the announcements and beyond Munich – then integrity must move from the margins to the centre of the agenda.\n\nThe task ahead is clear: get the balance right, and make governance a core pillar of Europe’s emerging defence architecture.\n\n_We are grateful to Norway for supporting this roundtable and [related programming](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fstrengthening-integrity-ukraines-natural-resources-energy-and-defence-sectors-norways-support)._\n\n_This blog and additional photos are also published on the Transparency International Defence & Security website [here](https:\u002F\u002Fti-defence.org\u002Feuropes-defence-windfall-will-it-survive-the-corruption-test\u002F)._","2026-02-18","europe039s-defence-windfall-will-it-survive-the-corruption-test-2931","Europe's defence windfall: will it survive the corruption test?","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F737092c2-e1b7-4580-ab14-4ce24e90ee8d?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[14],[59],"Insights",[],2931,[],[59],[],[],[],"2026-02-27T15:07:17.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-04-15T22:28:53.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Feurope039s-defence-windfall-will-it-survive-the-corruption-test-2931",{"id":73,"body":74,"status":6,"type":31,"date":75,"slug":76,"title":77,"image":78,"countries":79,"topic":81,"activity":84,"tags":85,"nid":90,"topics":91,"activities":93,"authors":94,"images":96,"websites":97,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":99,"translation_of":8,"user_created":46,"date_created":100,"user_updated":68,"date_updated":101,"content":102,"link":103},9820,"A high-profile asset recovery case in Peru is putting the country’s new legislation on non-conviction-based confiscation (_Extinción de Dominio_) to the test.\n\nThe new _Extinción de Dominio_ legislation, which roughly translates as \"extinction of possession\", allows stolen assets to be recovered even if the asset holder cannot formally be convicted of a crime. Introduced in August 2018, it enables the recovery of assets from foreign bank accounts whose owners, for example, are now dead or have absconded.\n\nThe first ever case to make use of this legislation relates to a bank account in Luxembourg containing laundered money that a deceased General of the Peruvian Navy, Américo Ibárcena, acquired corruptly from the Peruvian state. The crimes took place under the notoriously corrupt rule of former President Alberto Fujimori and his intelligence chief Vladimiro Montesinos.\n\nThe Peruvian courts have declared that the money belongs to Peru and should be returned by Luxembourg in line with precedents from cases involving the UK and Switzerland and with commitments under international treaties on asset recovery.\n\n### Insights from the prosecutor\n\nDr. Hamilton Castro, Provincial Prosecutor in the Attorney General’s Office of Peru, has been investigating this case – along with related cases in Switzerland and Luxembourg – and understands deeply both the significance of this judgement and the challenges of now executing it in Luxembourg.\n\nIn this interview with Oscar Solórzano, Manager of the Basel Institute’s regional office in Peru, Dr. Castro reflects on this important milestone for Peruvian justice and on the support provided by the Basel Institute through its International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR).  \n\n### Dr. Hamilton, tell us why the decision in the Ibárcena case is important for Peru\n\nI believe for two reasons. First, because recovering these assets is a matter of justice for the people of Peru – and one that is long overdue. The account belongs to a set of bank accounts that served to conceal the illicit profits of secret contracts that defrauded the Peruvian public treasury during the administration of former President Fujimori. This asset recovery case, along with others in recent years, contains an implicit message to criminals: justice may take time, but it does not forget.\n\nSecondly, this decision is important because it is the first judgement resulting from the new legislation that came into force in February of this year. _Extinción de Dominio_ is an effective tool to recover assets in situations such as this case, where the owners and beneficiaries of the accounts are fugitives from justice in Peru or have died.\n\nHaving said this, we are aware that we still have a way to go to obtain the execution of the decision in Luxembourg. We are prepared to support our request with legal arguments demonstrating that the process has been carried out in line with the highest legal standards and procedural guarantees.\n\n### What is innovative about the _Extinción de Dominio_ legislation and how did this help in the investigation?\n\nIn my opinion, the main innovation of the _Extinción de Dominio_ in Peru, compared to the previous _Perdida de Dominio_ (loss of possession), is that an asset recovery investigation can now be opened independently and without the need for a criminal conviction. In some cases, stolen assets can be recovered without a criminal investigation being opened at all. Its independent character allows a legal action to be launched against the assets themselves while at the same time fully respecting fundamental rights and due process.\n\nIn this specific case, the _Extinción de Dominio_ legislation allowed the asset recovery process to begin even though the account holder was outside the country. The case was duly notified and, in view of the account holder’s refusal to participate in the process, a defence lawyer was appointed to protect his rights.\n\nAs this is an action directed against the asset, however, civil law concepts are largely applied to facilitate the collection of evidence and speed up the process.\n\n### What are the challenges of applying the _Extinción de Dominio_ legislation in Peru?\n\nIn my opinion, an important question relates to the competences of the criminal justice apparatus to apply legislation that – although it has been applied for decades in certain other countries in our region – is new to Peru.\n\nIt is crucial for our specialised judges and prosecutors to fully understand how to apply the novel features of this legislation in order to obtain positive results. Training is therefore essential to enable Peruvian prosecutors to conduct proper and efficient asset recovery cases using this legislation, both at the investigation stage and during the subsequent judicial phase.\n\nSo, capacity building is one major challenge. We hope that the Basel Institute will continue to support the work of the Attorney General's Office and the Judiciary in this vital aspect of our asset recovery efforts.\n\n### On your last point, how would you describe your office's relationship with the Basel Institute?\n\nThe relationship between my office and the Basel Institute is superlative and has been so for quite a long time.\n\nFirst, in the recovery of assets from bank accounts in Switzerland linked to this same complex of cases, and subsequently when I was the head of the “special team” tasked with investigating the Odebrecht case (also known as Operation Car Wash or Lava Jato) in its initial phase in Peru. We established a fruitful relationship that revolved from the very beginning around advice, help and assistance in international judicial cooperation.\n\nThis relationship grew to include a crucial focus on the recovery of assets related to acts of corruption in the Peruvian government. This has allowed my office to recover approximately USD 35 million – so far – in funds that were stashed in foreign accounts and linked to serious acts of state corruption in Peru.\n\nWe think that this recent judgement related to the account in Luxembourg is a clear example of the excellent relationship between the Prosecutor's Office for _Extinción de Dominio_ and the Basel Institute. Why? Because this application of the _Extinción de Dominio_ benefited greatly from advice and assistance provided by the Basel Institute.\n\n### What are your expectations for your future partnership with the Basel Institute?\n\nOur expectations are intimately linked to our need for this close and valuable cooperation between the Peruvian Attorney General’s Office and the Basel Institute to continue developing.\n\nThis will allow us to continue recovering illegally obtained assets in the many cases that are currently pending and still to come.\n\n### About the case\n\n_In June 2019, Peruvian courts declared the_ _confiscation_ _of an offshore account of a legal arrangement known as Southland Securities Inc., which has been frozen in Luxembourg since 2002._\n\n_The judicial decision establishes that the account belongs to Américo Ibárcena, former General Commander of the Peruvian Navy between 1996 and 2000, and that it was used to disguise illicit commissions from foreign arms deals. The decision has not been challenged by the current beneficial owner and son of the deceased General, Marco Antonio Ibárcena Dworzak._\n\n_The General has passed away, making a formal conviction impossible. Therefore, the Extinción de Dominio represents the only option for Peru to recover illicit assets that have been proven, in a court of law, to arise from corruption and money laundering offences._\n\n_This case represents an important crossroads in Peru's effort to overcome deep-rooted corruption. It will also set the course for further cooperation between Peru and Luxembourg, as well as other financial centres._\n\n_The Basel Institute congratulates Dr. Castro and his colleagues in the Peruvian judicial system for their progress and persistence and is proud to have supported this case, and others, through its International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR). It will continue to support the Peruvian prosecuting team in obtaining enforcement of the decision by the Luxembourg authorities._\n\n### More information\n\n*   [Training for specialised Peruvian prosecutors in new non-conviction-based confiscation legislation](\u002Fnode\u002F947)\n*   [New specialised courts to apply novel Extinción de Dominio legislation in Peru](\u002Fnode\u002F913\u002F)\n*   About the [International Centre for Asset Recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery)\n*   Reflections on 2018 by the [Basel Institute’s Peru team](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Freflections-2018-peru-office-and-public-finance-management)\n*   [Leer esta entrevista en español](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fun-caso-historico-de-recuperacion-de-activos-pone-prueba-la-legislacion-peruana-de-extincion)","2019-08-06","landmark-asset-recovery-case-puts-peruvian-non-conviction-based-confiscation-legislation-to-the-test-978","Landmark asset recovery case puts Peruvian non-conviction-based confiscation legislation to the test","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F464e809c-2a5c-4d40-9bcd-7b7f3d1830ba?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[80],7453,[82,83],"Anti-Money Laundering","Asset Recovery",[59],[86],{"tags_id":87},{"id":88,"name":89},1379,"Non-conviction based forfeiture",978,[82,92],"Asset Recovery and Enforcement",[59],[95],1263,[],[98],"Main page",[],"2022-05-26T22:56:09.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:57.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Flandmark-asset-recovery-case-puts-peruvian-non-conviction-based-confiscation-legislation-to-the-test-978",{"id":105,"body":106,"status":6,"type":31,"date":107,"slug":108,"title":109,"image":110,"countries":111,"topic":112,"activity":119,"tags":120,"nid":125,"topics":126,"activities":128,"authors":129,"images":131,"websites":132,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":133,"translation_of":8,"user_created":46,"date_created":134,"user_updated":68,"date_updated":135,"content":136,"link":137},9750,"The agility that we pride ourselves on at the Basel Institute is often tested, not least by political turbulence in our partner countries. Beyond its implications for society and its catastrophic impact on victims and health systems, the coronavirus pandemic is the biggest test for us so far.\n\nWe know we are anything but alone in this, and – as with corruption – it is clear we can only come out of this in a good way if we share our experiences and help each other. In this spirit, we wanted to give you a sense of how we are adapting in these early days, with the generous support of our partners and donors, and our feelings for the future.\n\n### Life under lockdown\n\nOur first priority is to ensure the safety of our people – our staff and their families and our colleagues in partner organisations. Our offices are closed and all travel has stopped. Some of our field staff have chosen to remain in-country, while others have been repatriated.\n\nSecond, like others, we are adapting to life under lockdown. There are definite challenges to teleworking in terms of psychological impact and productivity, particularly for those of us with children home from school. But like others, we are finding that video meetings work fairly well and, combined with our regular virtual morning coffee breaks, allow for a degree of human interaction. It is fair to say that we are using means of communication involving seeing each other more frequently than in the past, when we would mostly talk on the phone or write emails. Because we bumped into each other in the coffee room, in the hallway or during in-country trips.\n\nNot attending meetings and conferences is difficult in a line of work where, because we often discuss highly sensitive matters which require trust, face-to-face contacts and relationships are important. And despite the current buzz about virtual training, it doesn’t match the buzz of students [learning about corruption research](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-governance\u002Ftraining-courses) with our Head of Governance Research Claudia Baez Camargo, or of trainees working together on a [simulated money laundering case](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery\u002Ftraining-programmes) during a workshop led by ICAR’s Head of Training Phyllis Atkinson and her training team.\n\nNotwithstanding, and without planning to do away with in-person trainings at all, increasing our virtual training capabilities has advantages. More anti-corruption practitioners can benefit from our capacity-building programmes, and at more flexible times. In fact, our Public Finance Management experts in Peru have already proven this: they launched the latest in a series of [virtual courses for public officials](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fvirtual-training-course-public-financial-management-launched-peru) just this week, with 800 new trainees joining the thousands who have benefited from these in the past. In addition, we have already seen a nearly 300 percent increase in activity on our [eLearning courses](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Felearning-courses) and similarly increased demand for our [Basel AML Index](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-aml-index) and [Basel Open Intelligence](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-open-intelligence) tools.\n\nFinally, less work-related travel helps many of us to clear our heads and to-do lists, not to mention stay healthier. And we have all seen the charts showing the wider environmental benefits of taking cars off the streets and planes out of the skies.\n\nWhatever happens, we have learnt some valuable additional skills and ways of working to take forward into the future.\n\n### Remote working in low-tech contexts\n\nIn many of our partner countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, digital systems – never mind remote working methods – are not widely available or used. This affects our [International Centre for Asset Recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery) experts the most, as it makes case mentoring and training a challenge to say the least.\n\n*   Files are often on paper, stored manually and shared in person.\n*   Computers and video conferencing equipment are insufficient or in some cases non-existent.\n*   Electricity and internet connections are unreliable and expensive or, for many staff who have returned to their homes in rural villages, simply unavailable. \n*   Our partners are often not used to communicating virtually. Many government staff in our partner countries don’t use professional email addresses, and computer skills are sometimes weak.\n*   In these contexts, personal contact is even more vital to maintain progress on cases.\n\nBut necessity is the mother of invention and, as one of our field experts points out, patience is her sister. The ICAR team are helping each other find creative ways to continue case assistance and mentoring, from photos of documents and drafts transmitted through secure file-sharing systems to – for relationship-building – social media. They are also finding more time to focus on preparing the institutionalisation of good practices through SOPs and manuals, building on insights from in-country practice for global policy recommendations, and helping partners introduce new technologies more efficiently and securely.\n\nThe crisis is revealing the value of our model of embedding asset recovery experts in partner institutions. Many are still in-country, and the trust built through this model will allow us to continue where we left it quickly as soon as restrictions are relaxed. And as we hope everyone is experiencing, relationships grow stronger when we face a crisis together.\n\n### Digital security challenges\n\nRemote working raises numerous security challenges. Many of these are not new to our IT team because the nature of our work has always required that we pay great attention to this. Still, it’s a good time to review questions like:\n\n*   How do we control remote access to case files and other data internally and with partners?\n*   How do we ensure the security of messages transmitted over email or instant messaging platforms, if that’s what’s commonly in use in our partner countries?\n*   The mixing of professional and personal communication and devices – is it ever OK to use a personal WhatsApp account for work-related information or to store confidential files on a personal phone?\n*   How secure are off-the-shelf video conferencing platforms and how can we use them in a safe way, in particular with respect to retaining control over data?\n*   How do we deal with the fact that criminals are also moving online, and protect ourselves and our partners from the risks of hacking, phishing and cyber fraud?\n\nOur IT team is working hard to find technical solutions in addition to our regular secure processes and communication systems. But security is about people, not just technology, so our emphasis is on pragmatic solutions that work for us and for our partners too.\n\n### Higher stakes for compliance and Collective Action\n\nPracticalities are less of an issue for our [Compliance](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fcompliance) and [Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fcollective-action) team, as most companies and organisations are well set up with technology and remote collaboration.\n\nBut Gemma Aiolfi, Head of Compliance and Collective Action, says that dealing with a crisis can reveal weaknesses in systems when it comes to preventing corruption. These could come from weaker controls through remote working, the fast adaptation or bypassing of regular systems and procedures, or the postponement of vital compliance training.\n\nThere will be a shake-out in some industry sectors. Economic effects will likely increase competition for business as firms struggle for survival and employees strive to demonstrate their value in bringing in business. This could result in sacrificing resources that would have been allocated to the compliance function. In the worst of all scenarios it could also lead to companies reverting to old bad practices of trying to win contracts through unfair means.\n\nThe crisis is also an opportunity for companies to develop better preparedness for pandemics and other catastrophic risks. Considering [what this means for anti-corruption and corporate governance](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fbroken-beamers-and-more-shining-light-business-continuity-plans-and-compliance) will be key. They should also consider engaging in Collective Action to supplement their individual compliance efforts more efficiently.\n\n### Pressures on public governance and health systems\n\nThe pressures caused by the pandemic and governments’ resulting measures are, as one colleague in Mozambique says, raising the stakes for all of us and teaching us to live with uncertainty.\n\nThat couldn’t be more true for health systems of countries in which corruption is widespread. Health systems are known to be particularly exposed to high-level corruption risks. In these times, it is even more vital that health services and equipment are provided fairly – not to those who bribe or attempt to profit from the emergency by hoarding equipment or diverting donations of monetary aid and equipment.\n\nWe hope that our [Public Governance](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-governance) team’s pilot intervention targeting [social norms in Tanzania’s health system](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fclaudia-baez-camargos-quick-guide-social-norms-and-corruption) will be able to go ahead, as research projects such as these are crucial to designing more effective anti-corruption interventions. And that Claudia Baez Camargo is right that the crisis, in provoking us all to [rethink governance](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Frethinking-governance-times-covid-19-pandemic), will teach us all the value of public goods.\n\n### A boost for anti-corruption action against illegal wildlife trade\n\nThe pandemic has attracted attention towards [illegal wildlife trad](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fillegal-wildlife-trade)e, as it becomes clear that COVID-19 was a direct result of the illegal trade in live animals. The pandemic makes a powerful argument that addressing the world’s fourth-largest organised crime is not just about conservation or animals in a faraway land, but has direct implications on human health, security and the economy.\n\nWe welcome commitments by countries including China and Vietnam to crack down on the trade and consumption of wildlife, but caution that the crux is [how effectively these bans are enforced](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fcoronavirus-wake-call-illegal-wildlife-trade). Key will be to tackle the corruption and financial crime that fuel the illegal trade by [bringing together](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fcovid-19-how-anti-corruption-tools-and-industry-collaboration-can-help-us-win-fight-against) law enforcement with the companies and financial institutions most closely affected by the trade.\n\n### Adapting together in our connected world\n\nThese are just some initial thoughts, and we hope that our sharing of this experience is useful for others who face similar challenges. We will continue to work with our partners as they also try to stay on track with the vital work they are doing to fight corruption and financial crime, and to make the world a better place. Because if we have learned anything from this crisis, it is that we are all connected, for better and for worse.","2020-04-09","covid-19-what-does-business-continuity-look-like-at-the-basel-institute-1559","COVID-19: What does “business continuity” look like at the Basel Institute?","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fe3c4a15f-2ef1-419f-b8b6-a08cf985cbd6?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[83,113,114,115,116,117,118],"Collective Action","Private Sector","Green Corruption","Public Finance Management","Prevention"," Research and Innovation",[59],[121],{"tags_id":122},{"id":123,"name":124},1381,"Health",1559,[92,113,114,115,116,127],"Prevention Research and Innovation",[59],[130],1238,[],[98,113],[],"2022-05-26T22:55:09.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:53.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcovid-19-what-does-business-continuity-look-like-at-the-basel-institute-1559",{"id":139,"body":140,"status":6,"type":10,"date":141,"slug":142,"title":143,"image":35,"countries":144,"topic":153,"activity":154,"tags":156,"nid":157,"topics":158,"activities":159,"authors":160,"images":161,"websites":162,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":163,"translation_of":8,"user_created":46,"date_created":164,"user_updated":68,"date_updated":165,"content":166,"link":167},10110,"The Basel Institute has been awarded two new research grants; one by the British Academy as part of its GBP 4 million global anti-corruption research scheme in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID) in the context of DFID’s Anti-Corruption Evidence ('ACE') Research Programme; the second by DFID’s East Africa Research Fund (EARF).\n\nThe BA grant will support a 24-month research project titled Informal Governance and Corruption – Transcending the Principal Agent and Collective Action Paradigms. Under the leadership of the Basel Institute’s Head of Governance Research, Dr Claudia Baez Camargo, and in close collaboration with Professor Alena Ledeneva (from University College London) and Dr Scott Newton (from SOAS University of London) this research project proposes to adopt a bottom-up perspective to understand the role that informality plays in fuelling corruption and stifling anti-corruption policies. By suggesting this emphasis on informality, the project seeks to shift away from the more commonly held perspective of viewing endemic corruption as a collective action problem and prescribing the strengthening of formal mechanisms top-down.\n\nThrough the application of a comparative research design, the research will thus test the impact of informality on corruption and anti-corruption within a wider set of countries in East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) and the former Soviet Union (Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia).\n\nA second grant, by DFID’s EARF, provides funding for an 18-month research study on “Corruption, Social Norms and Values in East Africa.” The project will also be led by Dr Claudia Baez Camargo in close cooperation with a number of local researchers in the target countries in East Africa (Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda). In order to gain a better understanding of how endemic corruption “works” from the perspective of the affected populations themselves, this research project focuses on petty corruption, and in doing so intends to:\n\n*   understand social norms and mental models associated with the propensity of officials to ask for, accept or reject bribes; and that of citizens to offer, concede, resist and report bribery in daily interactions;\n*   understand the factors (including social norms, habits, emotions, mental biases, sense of agency) which influence these; and\n*   identify further evidence gaps and consider implications for anti-corruption interventions in the three concerned countries.","2016-02-15","basel-institutes-public-governance-division-to-lead-corruption-research-projects-in-east-africa-and-post-soviet-countries-296","Basel Institute’s Public Governance division to lead corruption research projects in East Africa and post-Soviet countries",[145,146,147,148,149,150,151,152],7659,7660,7661,7662,7663,7664,7665,7666,[117,118],[155],"Research",[],296,[127],[155],[],[],[98],[],"2022-05-26T22:58:58.000Z","2026-05-07T21:29:50.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institutes-public-governance-division-to-lead-corruption-research-projects-in-east-africa-and-post-soviet-countries-296",{"id":169,"body":170,"status":6,"type":10,"date":171,"slug":172,"title":173,"image":35,"countries":174,"topic":175,"activity":176,"tags":178,"nid":179,"topics":180,"activities":181,"authors":182,"images":183,"websites":184,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":185,"translation_of":8,"user_created":46,"date_created":186,"user_updated":68,"date_updated":187,"content":188,"link":189},10149,"In a joint effort with the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), ICAR has developed a new e-learning course for FIUs on analysing suspicious transaction reports (STRs). The course covers all stages from risk assessment of STRs, through planning and collection of information, to analysis and dissemination of intelligence to law enforcement agencies.\n\nIn a four-hour workshop session during the Egmont Group's 23rd Plenary Meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados, in mid-June, some twenty participants had the opportunity to test the pilot version of this new “Strategical Analysis” e-learning course.\n\nThe course will be made available on the Basel Institute's [e-learning CAMPUS](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery\u002Ffree-elearning-courses) free of charge at the end of 2015, and can be used virtually or with the on-site assistance of an ICAR trainer.","2015-08-01","pilot-e-learning-course-on-strategical-analysis-introduced-at-egmont039s-23rd-plenary-meeting-489","Pilot e-learning course on Strategical Analysis introduced at Egmont's 23rd Plenary Meeting",[],[83],[177],"eLearning",[],489,[92],[177],[],[],[98],[],"2022-05-26T22:59:11.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:15.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fpilot-e-learning-course-on-strategical-analysis-introduced-at-egmont039s-23rd-plenary-meeting-489",{"id":191,"body":192,"status":6,"type":31,"date":193,"slug":194,"title":195,"image":35,"countries":196,"topic":197,"activity":198,"tags":199,"nid":200,"topics":201,"activities":202,"authors":203,"images":204,"websites":8,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":20,"translations":205,"translation_of":8,"user_created":46,"date_created":206,"user_updated":68,"date_updated":207,"content":208,"link":209},10583,"Improving the quality of intelligence we can extract from blockchain technologies could vastly increase our capacity to counter financial crimes involving crypto or virtual assets.\n\nThis Q&A builds on a [first article on the concept of blockchain intelligence](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Funlocking-blockchain-intelligence-tackle-illicit-crypto-use) and practical use cases. This one focuses on the quality of current blockchain intelligence and the need for recognised standards and professional training to build capabilities in the public and private sectors.\n\nThanks to Bogdan Vacusta (National Bank of Romania), Nico Di Gabriele (European Central Bank) and Victor Vevera (ICI Bucharest) for the insights. Note that the views expressed are personal and may not be necessarily aligned with those of the institution of affiliation.\n\n### Should we be worried about the quality of blockchain intelligence currently?\n\nYes. Since there are currently no established or empirically tested standards, there is a real risk that inaccurate blockchain “intelligence” is presented as fact.\n\nTo prevent errors and misattribution, we need rigorous standards to test the integrity of blockchain intelligence. Users must also understand its limits and its role in the overall analysis process.\n\n### How do investigators and analysts currently?\n\nMany practitioners in the public and private sectors rely on commercial tools to trace transactions on the blockchain, but may lack understanding of how these operate or their limitations.\n\nThey may also simply rely on information that private blockchain tracing companies provide, with no means to independently verify the results and understand methodologies employed.\n\nThe information may be correct. But it’s a bit of a “black box” and the resulting blockchain intelligence may be of dubious quality – something that would never be accepted in traditional financial investigations.\n\n### Are you calling into question the quality of blockchain evidence used in court?\n\nYes. There are cases in the United States especially where the quality of the blockchain tracing methodologies has been questioned.\n\nFor example, in the case [_United States v. Sterlingov_](https:\u002F\u002Fcaselaw.findlaw.com\u002Fcourt\u002Fus-dis-crt-dis-col\u002F115886148.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) in 2024, the defendant was charged with operating the crypto mixer the Bitcoin Fog to launder illicit crypto assets and evidence in the form of blockchain analysis was provided by Chainalysis. The defence argued that “the \\[g\\]overnment's ‘blockchain analysis’ is junk science.” “The problem is we have no data set, no scientific data set with which we can measure the reliability and the accuracy of this software”, they said. This has triggered [significant debate](https:\u002F\u002Ffortune.com\u002Fcrypto\u002F2024\u002F03\u002F13\u002Fblockchain-analysis-chainalysis-bitcoin-fog-law-enforcement\u002F).\n\nWhere the quality of evidence from the blockchain is questionable, it may be dismissed – or even worse, result in unjust outcomes and potentially the conviction of innocent defendants.\n\nFortunately, in most cases so far, other evidence existed that enabled the prosecution to secure a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. \n\nThe quality of blockchain intelligence needs to be subjected to rigorous statistical evaluation and analysis. Where there is ambiguity, the burden to prove that adequate standards have been met should be on the party seeking to rely on the evidence.\n\n### How can law enforcement agencies build capabilities in blockchain intelligence?\n\nIt’s difficult!\n\n*   First, there are currently few options outside of commercial solutions. Training tends to focus on the specific solutions developed by the training provider.\n*   Second, when new staff are hired, especially in law enforcement and the public sector, these tend to be blockchain tracing experts who have gained their expertise using commercial tools. Again, this may lead to methodology bias.\n*   Third, the quality of available training varies significantly. Blockchain intelligence requires expertise in law, computer science and finance. Training courses rarely acknowledge the need to have at least a basic understanding of each of these fields.\n\nLast, currently expertise is tied to certifications issued by providers of commercial tools, with no independent means to test the knowledge and skills of existing or new staff.\n\n### What can be done to improve blockchain intelligence tools, training and quality?\n\nFor tools, there is a pressing need for public-private partnerships to develop independently verifiable blockchain intelligence solutions. This would give all users more options. Working with universities, research organisations and other academic institutions is a good starting point to determine the reliability of blockchain intelligence and further research new applications.\n\nFor training, we need non-commercial blockchain intelligence training programmes adhering to the highest standards, with inputs and best practices from both public and private sector stakeholders.\n\nFor qualifications and hiring, we recommend that the role of a blockchain analyst is professionalised and officially recognised in frameworks such as the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) classification. For that, an independent accreditation process for recognised professionals needs to be established, involving stakeholders from different sectors including independent accreditation bodies.\n\nUnderlying all this is the need to develop global standards based on a deep body of research that acknowledges both the capabilities and the limitations of blockchain intelligence.\n\nA practical first step towards all of these goals is the creation of working groups of experts, academics and relevant organisations focused on the exchange and interoperability of blockchain intelligence, as well as on sharing technology and best practices.\n\n### Do initiatives to this end already exist?\n\nExamples of such initiatives in which we are personally involved include:\n\n*   The [Blockchain Intelligence Academy (BIA)](https:\u002F\u002Fbi.academy\u002F), whose mission is to develop “actionable, independent blockchain intelligence capability, in service of the truth by, placing “the integrity of blockchain intelligence above all else”. It evolved from a public-private partnership between ICI Bucharest and the Singapore-based blockchain intelligence firm ChainArgos. BIA is committed to developing training standards and is openly inviting all blockchain analytics providers to this initiative, as a key objective is to facilitate the use of various tools in training programs conducted by BIA.\n*   The [Blockchain Intelligence Professionals Association (BIPA)](https:\u002F\u002Fblockchaintelligence.com\u002F), which brings together practitioners in the field of blockchain technology. Its objective is to “establish a platform for dialogue, to facilitate training, sharing of expertise, good practice and to encourage new partnerships”. Bogdan Vacusta, the chairman of BIPA, is actively involved in facilitating interactions between blockchain analytics providers, with a key objective to facilitate public-private partnerships focused on standards and interoperability.\n\nBoth organisations are closely involved in the first ever Blockchain Intelligence Forum in Bucharest. Here, a special working group will be launched aimed at introducing a new occupation – Blockchain Analyst – into the Romanian and European classifications of occupations and qualifications.\n\nThe two initiatives are also exploring ways to provide blockchain intelligence accreditation that stakeholders globally respect and rely on.\n\n### Remind us: what is the dream? Our end goal?\n\nThe dream is to develop global standards of excellence for blockchain intelligence capabilities. Training is a top priority, to both strengthen the blockchain intelligence discipline and develop expertise that is less reliant on commercial blockchain tracing tools.\n\nOur end goal is to establish a globally recognised standard for blockchain intelligence skills and develop the capabilities of professionals accordingly to combat the rise in illicit finance and preserve market integrity. A clean market is a precondition for its stability and thus capacity to fulfil people’s needs.\n\nThe rapid growth of crypto-assets and the development of blockchain technology has seen an increase in their use to facilitate financial crime. This is why it’s more important than ever to provide a structured, robust and resilient framework to continually improve and train blockchain intelligence professionals.","2025-03-04","setting-global-standards-on-blockchain-intelligence-from-idea-to-reality-2774","Setting global standards on blockchain intelligence – from idea to reality",[],[83],[59],[],2774,[92],[59],[],[],[],"2025-11-24T11:01:43.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:38.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fsetting-global-standards-on-blockchain-intelligence-from-idea-to-reality-2774",{"id":211,"body":212,"status":6,"type":10,"date":213,"slug":214,"title":215,"image":216,"countries":217,"topic":232,"activity":233,"tags":238,"nid":241,"topics":242,"activities":243,"authors":244,"images":245,"websites":246,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":247,"translation_of":8,"user_created":46,"date_created":248,"user_updated":68,"date_updated":249,"content":250,"link":251},9557,"A model law on non-conviction based forfeiture (NCBF), drafted 10 years ago by UNODC to support countries in Latin America in their efforts to recover stolen assets, will be updated following four days of intense discussions among practitioners and asset recovery experts from across the continent.\n\nSpecialists from our International Centre for Asset Recovery ([ICAR](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery)) team in Latin America were among those contributing to the discussions of the NCBF Model Law ([Ley Modelo de Extinción de Dominio](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Flegal-tools\u002FLey_Modelo_Sobre_Extincion_de_Dominio.pdf)).\n\nExtinción de Dominio is the dominant form of NCBF mechanism in Latin America, including in Peru, where ICAR is assisting the authorities in rolling out a [national system for NCBF](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Ftraining-non-conviction-based-confiscation-rolled-out-specialised-prosecutors-peru-high-level) and has seen some encouraging successes.\n\n### A model for NCBF laws across Latin America\n\nCentral to the participatory review process of the NCBF Model Law, the meetings sought to illuminate its contribution to efforts to recover stolen assets in countries that have implemented such an NCBF mechanism.\n\nSpeakers highlighted that the Model Law has served as a reference document for many countries in drafting NCBF legislation that fits their domestic legal systems and contexts. These laws have since helped to recover assets arising from organised crime and corruption.\n\nThe discussions also highlighted good practices and aspects that require updating in line with the fast-evolving field of asset recovery, such as how to recover assets held in the form of cryptocurrencies, and evolutions in international judicial cooperation.\n\nOther key points included issues the possibility of extending international instruments, such as the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, to specifically include forms of NBCF. Participants called for more guidance on developing suitable mechanisms to [manage seized and confiscated assets](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fmanaging-seized-and-frozen-assets-what-are-international-norms), as well as on procedural aspects specific to this type of law. These are areas in which countries that are further ahead in the implementation of Extinción de Dominio mechanisms can usefully take the lead.\n\n### Sharing on-the-ground experiences with NCBF laws\n\nOscar Solórzano, the Basel Institute’s Head of Latin America and Senior Asset Recovery Specialist, presented some practical case studies that demonstrate the challenges of international judicial cooperation in asset recovery. On the other hand, he pointed to encouraging experiences of such international cooperation from Peru, which has succeeded in recovering assets from abroad using its 2019 Extinción de Domino law (see case links below).\n\nOscar also remarked positively on the progress made by some European jurisdictions in recognising the validity of this model of NCBF legislation. Dennis Cheng, Senior Asset Recovery Specialist, moderated a panel reflecting on the significant advances made in Latin America in respect of NCBF over the last 10 years and participated in the closing session.\n\n### Promoting innovation in asset recovery\n\nParticipants in the four-day meeting included prosecutors, judges, academics and policymakers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru.\n\nMany of these are leading voices in the asset recovery field who are also involved in the [Asset Recovery Knowledge Community](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Ffirst-meeting-asset-recovery-knowledge-community-latin-america-explores-international) established by ICAR earlier this year.\n\nIt is hoped that the reflections and knowledge products emerging from the Asset Recovery Knowledge Community will support the legal foundations of the NCBF Model Law as it is revised over the coming months, as well as its application in practice.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   See the UNODC press release: [UNODC conmemora los diez años de la Ley de Modelo de Extinción de Dominio](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fcolombia\u002Fes\u002Funodc-conmemora-los-10-anos-de-la-ley-modelo-de-la-extincion-de-dominio.html).\n*   Encouraging cases based on Peru’s 2019 Extinción de Dominio law include the [Ibárcena case](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Flandmark-asset-recovery-case-puts-peruvian-non-conviction-based-confiscation-legislation-test) involving a deceased Navy General, the [Russian arms dealer case](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Frussian-arms-dealer-case-how-peru-recovered-stolen-assets-swiss-bank-account-through-non), the military aircraft case of [Moshe Rothschild Chassin](Moshe%20Rothschild%20Chassin), and the recent terrorist financing case of [The Nun (La Monja)](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fconfiscating-assets-shining-path-terrorist-organisation-peru-case-study-and-words-prosecutor). A comprehensive description of all cases can be found in the 1,100-page [_Compendium of Jurisprudence on Extinción de Dominio_](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Flaunch-compendium-jurisprudence-perus-non-conviction-based-confiscation-law) published in July by Peru’s Procuraduría General del Estado.","2021-10-01","latin-americas-model-law-on-non-conviction-based-forfeiture-of-illicit-assets-turns-10-what-now-2111","Latin America’s model law on non-conviction based forfeiture of illicit assets turns 10 – what now? ","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F636c4a57-4014-43bc-8856-a5aa12b65aa7?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[218,219,220,221,222,223,224,225,226,227,228,229,230,231],7290,7291,7292,7293,7294,7295,7296,7297,7298,7299,7300,7301,7302,7303,[83],[234,235,236,237],"Events","Presentations","Partnerships","International cooperation",[239],{"tags_id":240},{"id":88,"name":89},2111,[92],[234,235,236,237],[],[],[98],[],"2022-05-26T22:52:27.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:42.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Flatin-americas-model-law-on-non-conviction-based-forfeiture-of-illicit-assets-turns-10-what-now-2111",{"id":253,"body":254,"status":6,"type":10,"date":255,"slug":256,"title":257,"image":258,"countries":259,"topic":261,"activity":262,"tags":263,"nid":264,"topics":265,"activities":266,"authors":267,"images":268,"websites":269,"area":8,"programme":8,"language":8,"translations":270,"translation_of":8,"user_created":46,"date_created":271,"user_updated":68,"date_updated":272,"content":273,"link":274},9568,"The Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s regional body in Latin America, GAFILAT, has welcomed our International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) to join its Asset Recovery Network (Red de Recuperación de Activos del GAFILAT, or RRAG) as an observer member.\n\nWe are honoured to contribute our experience to the Network’s growing efforts and achievements in building the capacity of members to identify, investigate and recover the proceeds of crime. We will be joining representatives from the 17 GAFILAT member countries, in addition to Andorra, Spain, Italy, El Salvador, France and Europol.\n\nFounded in 2006, [ICAR](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery) has been active in Latin America since 2014. We hold numerous inter-institutional cooperation agreements with key counterparts in our partner countries in the region. These include prosecutorial and judicial authorities, financial intelligence units, comptroller generals, and others.\n\nWorking closely with these partners, we have assisted in the recovery of tens of millions of dollars deposited decades ago in Switzerland and Luxembourg. Among some of the most prominent corruption cases are those concerning the regime of former President Alberto Fujimori in Peru, as well as the infamous Odebrecht corruption scheme.\n\nBased at our Lima office or embedded in partner institutions, our Latin America-based team currently has a large portfolio of asset recovery cases, particularly in Peru and Ecuador. Some of these cases are creating important legal precedents and opening up channels for international cooperation, such as a recent application of Peru’s [non-conviction based confiscation law in an historical terrorist financing case](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fcase-study-the-nun) or the recovery of assets from the [son of a deceased Navy General](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Flandmark-asset-recovery-case-puts-peruvian-non-conviction-based-confiscation-legislation-test) who had corruptly acquired them during his time in office.\n\nWe hope the lessons we have learned over the years – and the ideas our collaborations have triggered – will be of value to RRAG and its membership as we work jointly to expand the capacity of Latin American countries to recover funds stolen from the public purse and stashed abroad.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Learn more about the Asset Recovery Network of the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America (RRAG) in this [three-page brochure](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2021-09\u002Frrag_brochure.pdf) (in Spanish) and in the Network's 10th Anniversary summary document in [English](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2021-09\u002F10th_anniversary_of_rrag.pdf) and [Spanish](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2021-09\u002F10_anos_de_la_red_de_recuperacion_de_activos_del_grupo_de_accion_financiera_de_america_latina_-_rrag.pdf)\n*   [View GAFILAT’s introductory video on RRAG in Spanish](\u002Fwww.gafilat.org\u002Findex.php\u002Fes\u002Fnoticias\u002F96-rrag)\n*   As a separate initiative, ICAR has also established a Knowledge Community in Latin America to promote the adoption and application of non-conviction based forfeiture (NCBF) mechanisms to recover stolen assets. The Knowledge Community brings together 53 leading asset recovery practitioners from the region and had its [first knowledge dissemination session](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Ffirst-meeting-asset-recovery-knowledge-community-latin-america-explores-international) in July. Activities of the Knowledge Community are funded by the US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.\n*   The Basel AML Index, which assesses money laundering risks around the world, is developed and maintained by ICAR. Published on 13 September, the 10th annual edition analyses FATF data to reveal interesting trends in money laundering and terrorist financing, including issues around beneficial ownership and virtual assets. See the [press release](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-aml-index-2021-4-things-holding-back-global-fight-against-money-laundering), our [new Basel AML Index web platform](https:\u002F\u002Findex.baselgovernance.org\u002F) and an [infographic on money laundering risks in Latin America](https:\u002F\u002Findex.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fuploads\u002FLATIN_AMERICA_CARIBBEAN_89cac40c59.pdf).","2021-09-12","icar-joins-gafilats-asset-recovery-network-as-observer-member-2091","ICAR joins GAFILAT’s Asset Recovery Network as observer member","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F6d55e890-8c34-42cc-a940-fe4aed771d14?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[260],7308,[82,83],[236,237],[],2091,[82,92],[236,237],[],[],[98],[],"2022-05-26T22:52:37.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:43.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ficar-joins-gafilats-asset-recovery-network-as-observer-member-2091",{"left":276,"top":276,"width":277,"height":277,"rotate":276,"vFlip":278,"hFlip":278,"body":279},0,20,false,"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M17 10a.75.75 0 0 1-.75.75H5.612l4.158 3.96a.75.75 0 1 1-1.04 1.08l-5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.08l5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 1 1 1.04 1.08L5.612 9.25H16.25A.75.75 0 0 1 17 10\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\u002F>",1780676521535]