MEPs of LIBE Committee vote on Parliament's mandate on the revision of the EU rules on criminal asset recovery and confiscation. The draft bill would extend the scope of the EU's confiscation rules, ensure that all member states can quickly and effectively seize criminal assets, and close loopholes in the existing rules. Extracts from the vote and statement by Loránt VINCZE (EPP, RO), Rapporteur.

Brussels

statement

vote

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LÓPEZ AGUILAR, Juan Fernando (S&D, ES)

fight against organised crime, corruption and money laundering (T)

VINCZE, Loránt (EPP, RO)

Delivery EE2024 (T)

Criminal asset recovery and confiscation: extracts from the vote and statement by Loránt VINCZE (EPP, RO), Rapporteur

Title: Criminal asset recovery and confiscation: extracts from the vote and statement by Lor&#225;nt VINCZE (EPP, RO), Rapporteur (EbS) 

Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), LIBE Committee Chair, launches the final vote on the New legislation on seizing criminal assets

Final vote: 50 in favour; 1 against, 4 abstained

SOUNDBITE (English) Lor&aacute;nt VINCZE (EPP, RO), Rapporteur, The directive on Asset recovery and confiscation broadens the capabilities of competent authorities to identify and unfreeze manage assets. It broadens the type of crime that are concerned from crimes that trafficking on human beings, drug trafficking, sexual exploitation, but also criminality performed by criminal organisations, mafia type organisations. But also the circumvention of union sanctions, namely when it comes to restrictive measures against third countries.

SOUNDBITE (English) Lor&aacute;nt VINCZE (EPP, RO), Rapporteur, In the European Parliament, we wanted to extend the scope of the criminal activities concerned and I think it is it strengthened the lot of the text, we reinforced the access to databases between these competent authorities and also we prioritised the compensation of victims. So illicit activities, assets recovered, and then the victims should be compensated from these assets. And this strengthens the role of EU agencies, Europol and EPPO, the Public Prosecutor's Office in these endeavours.

SOUNDBITE (English) Lor&aacute;nt VINCZE (EPP, RO), Rapporteur, Launching asset tracing is the first step. And here of the first issue is when already there is a suspicion of criminal activity already the asset tracing should start. In this way the criminals cannot hide behind procedural matters, many times happened.

SOUNDBITE (English) Lor&aacute;nt VINCZE (EPP, RO), Rapporteur, Time is of essence, so we would like to have urgent procedures that within hours it is possible to freeze an asset and that of course also the confiscation procedure can start. We need a better cooperation network. So asset recovery offices will be created at the level of the member states that effectively can put in place the confiscation of of the assets.