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Basel Institute of Governance explores the powers and restrictions EU Member States must include in their legislation to comply with the Directive on Asset Recovery and Confiscation

January 22, 2025

The 2024 EU Directive on Asset Recovery and Confiscation mandates that Member States introduce measures to confiscate “unexplained wealth” linked to crime. Specifically, Article 16 of the Directive requires Member States to target unexplained wealth related to organised crime, although they have the flexibility to extend this to other criminal activities, including corruption.

OECD assesses the steps takes by Bulgaria implement significant changes to its anti-corruption framework in new report

January 16, 2025

The first section of this report assesses the development and implementation of the CACIAF’s Strategic Plan 2022-2024 against the OECD Recommendation on Public Integrity and international best practices. The second provides an overview of the current asset forfeiture system in Bulgaria.

GRECO evaluates Poland’s progress on anti-corruption measures for parliamentarians, judges, and prosecutors, as well as judicial reforms from 2016-2018

January 15, 2025

GRECO commends Poland’s efforts to restore the independence of the National Council of the Judiciary (NCJ), but identifies a need for better scrutiny of prosecutors’ asset declarations and additional integrity counselling. Finds limited evidence of progress with respect to Parliamentarians. Key unmet recommendations include guidance on conflicts of interest, gift acceptance, asset declarations, and ethics standards for MPs and senators. Improved monitoring mechanisms are also needed.

EPPO Romania indicts 5 individuals, including the former Mayor, and one Company for bribery, fraud, and corruption linked to EU-funded projects for sports fields and a multifunctional centre

January 3, 2025

Between 2019 and 2021 the mayor and others allegedly falsified documents and statements to illegally obtain €200,000 and took a bribe of €55,000 from a company. Four defendants remain under judicial control facing potential prison sentences if convicted…

Reuters: Former IMF chief Rodrigo Rato sentenced to a new prison term for corruption

January 2, 2025

A Madrid court has sentenced former IMF chief Rodrigo Rato to nearly five years in prison for corruption, a ruling he plans to appeal calling it “unfair.” Rato has denied wrongdoing throughout the nine-year investigation. He previously served a two-year prison term for embezzlement during his time as chairman of Bankia…

OECD Working Group on Bribery expresses strong concerns about Poland’s lack of progress in fighting foreign bribery

December 20, 2024

The OECD has called on Poland to urgently address major shortcomings in its implementation of the Anti-Bribery Convention, citing minimal progress since 2022. Key issues include stalled judicial independence reforms, lack of corporate liability enforcement, inadequate whistleblower protections, and no national strategy to combat foreign bribery. Positive steps include progress on money laundering recommendations and new prosecutorial guidelines. Poland must submit an action plan by March 2025 for review.

OECD Anti-Bribery Convention Report on Sweden details its achievements and challenges, including in enforcing its anti-foreign bribery laws

December 19, 2024

The Working Group’s Phase 4 evaluation highlights Sweden’s inadequate corporate liability framework for foreign bribery, with no company ever sanctioned and weak enforcement due to legal, resource, and evidentiary challenges. Key recommendations of the report include clarifying liability for third-party bribery, ensuring corporate accountability independent of natural person prosecutions, strengthening sanctions, and improving enforcement of false accounting offences.

OECD acknowledges Croatia’s progress in implementing the Anti-Bribery Convention but urges improvements in the enforcement of foreign bribery law

December 19, 2024

Outstanding issues with compliance remain for Croatia in the sphere of enforcement, with no investigations or convictions for foreign bribery. The report cites for this, unclear laws on bribing foreign legislators, limited corporate liability, rare confiscation of bribes, and delays in criminal proceedings. Recommendations include strengthening corporate enforcement, clarifying legislation, increasing sanctions, and reducing delays. Positive steps include promoting whistleblowing and legislative reforms that facilitated Croatia’s Convention accession…

GRECO President on Anti-Corruption Day: “States must take determined action to protect democracy against corruption”

December 15, 2024

GRECO President Marin Mrčela emphasized the importance of combating corruption to strengthen democracy and rebuild trust between institutions and citizens. He called for robust anti-corruption laws, youth engagement, and transparency in governance. He also announced that GRECO’s upcoming 6th evaluation round will focus on preventing corruption and promoting integrity in local…

GRECO’s latest compliance report on Armenia shows progress in addressing anti-corruption recommendations from 2015.

December 11, 2024

Out of 18 recommendations, 12 have been fully implemented, and 6 are partly implemented. GRECO notes improvements in rules on gifts acceptance, public engagement in parliamentary work, and measures to prevent conflicts of interest for MPs.

GRECO’s follow-up Compliance Report on Andorra shows that 9 out of 13 anti-corruption recommendations have been fully implemented, 3 are partly implemented, and 1 remains unaddressed

December 4, 2024

Positive steps include a guide for parliamentarians on the Code of Conduct and the appointment of external ethical advisors. However, asset declarations from parliamentarians are still not public. For judges and prosecutors, ethics training is provided, but a confidential advice system is not yet operational, and the High Council of Justice’s composition remains problematic. The report concludes Andorra’s 4th round compliance procedure.

GRECO calls on San Marino to strengthen its efforts to prevent corruption for top executive functions and the Police Corps

December 2, 2024

GRECO’s report on San Marino urges the country to enhance its anti-corruption efforts for top executive functions (PTEFs), including ministers and law enforcement. Recommendations include adopting a specific anti-corruption policy, conducting integrity checks, updating Codes of Conduct, providing regular training, and improving asset transparency. For law enforcement, GRECO calls for better internal oversight, gender balance, and whistleblower protection. San Marino must report on the implementation of these 23 recommendations by May 2026.