Strategies Database

Participation in an organized criminal group
Trafficking in firearms
Drug offences
Trafficking in persons

Keywords

• Organised criminal group
Cybercrime
Money laundering

Keywords

• Anti-money laundering
Corruption

Asset recovery

• Prevention / detection of transfers of proceeds of crime
Smuggling of migrants

Strategy for Countering Organized Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2023-2026

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

Introductory text

Organized crime represents one of the biggest, most dangerous and complex threats in the modern world, which directly threatens security and stability at the local, regional and international levels. It is a phenomenon that undermines the trust of citizens, the democratic system, economic development, as well as the institutions of each state. The effective fight against organized crime is one of the key priorities for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the process of accession to the European Union (EU), as stated in the Opinion of the European Commission on Bosnia and Herzegovina's application for EU membership.

The challenges and risks of organized crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina are no different from those faced by other countries in the modern world. As pointed out in the document Organized Crime Threat Assessment in Bosnia and Herzegovina 20211 (hereinafter: OCTA BiH 2021), organized crime manifests itself through various types of crime, from illicit drug manufacture and drug trafficking to arms trafficking, economic and property crime, corrupt activities, cybercrime, and other types of criminal offences. The structural factors that enable organized crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina have also been identified. The reinvestment of proceeds of crime distorts legitimate market competition and undermines the country's entire economic system. Organized criminal groups (hereinafter: OCG) constantly strive to infiltrate and take control of all significant structures of the state and society, in order to secure their illegally gained funds and avoid criminal prosecution.

It follows that the effective fight against organized crime requires the recognition of drivers and factors that favor/enable the development of this phenomenon at all levels. Accordingly, this strategic document describes the new and transformative approach of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the prevention of, and fight against, organized crime, and as such, it:

- Recognizes the challenges and scale of organized crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the threat to stability and prosperity;

- Reflects the political will in the fight against organized crime as one of the key priorities;

- Proposes a new strategic framework for dealing with organized crime through a clear, unified vision, a whole society approach and integrated goals, measures and activities.

Strategy Identifier

BIH0006s

Adoption date

2023-03-01

Organized Crime Convention Articles

  • Article 9: Measures against corruption
  • Article 7: Measures to combat money-laundering
  • Article 29: Training and technical assistance
  • Article 11: Prosecution, adjudication and sanctions
  • Article 31: Prevention
  • Article 27: Law enforcement cooperation
  • Article 20: Special investigative techniques
  • Article 28: Collection, exchange and analysis of information on the nature of organized crime
  • Article 24: Protection of witnesses
  • Article 12: Confiscation and seizure
  • Article 25: Assistance to and protection of victims
  • Article 34: Implementation of the Convention

Human Trafficking Protocol Articles

  • Article 9: Prevention of trafficking in persons

Firearms Protocol Articles

  • Article 11 Security and preventive measures

Cross-Cutting Issues

Offending

Details

• involved an organized criminal group (Article 2(a) CTOC)

Investigation Procedure

Confiscation and Seizure of

• Proceeds of crime derived from offences covered by the Convention

Measures

• Identification, tracing, freezing and/or seizure of the proceeds and instrumentalities of crime

Special investigative techniques

• Special investigative techniques

Law Enforcement Measures and Cooperation

• Financial investigations
• Exchange of information

Victims

Victims of crime

Details

• Victims of crime

Rights

• Access to Justice
• Assistance and protection

Witnesses

Protection Measures

• Protection of whistleblowers / reporting persons

International Cooperation

Measures

• International law enforcement cooperation (including INTERPOL)
• Mutual legal assistance

Prevention

• Awareness raising
• Institutions
• Policies
• Role of civil society and private sector

Other topics

• National coordination bodies

Attachments