San Marino is among the first eight states to sign the new Council of Europe Protocol aimed at strengthening the fight against assets of criminal origin.
The signing took place in Strasbourg, where San Marino’s ambassador Michela Bovi signed the agreement alongside representatives from seven other countries and the European Union.
The Protocol introduces more effective tools for identifying, freezing and confiscating assets and funds derived from illicit activities, including cryptocurrencies.
Among the new provisions is the possibility, under certain circumstances, of confiscating assets even without a criminal conviction, as well as carrying out urgent, no-notice freezes to prevent assets from being transferred or concealed.
The agreement also aims to speed up the exchange of information between states and to strengthen international cooperation against criminal organisations operating across national borders.
