PROSECUTION OF CORRUPTION Maja Veber Šajn, M.Sc., Local State Prosecutor Specialised State Prosecution Office of the Republic of Slovenia

Caracteristics of nowadays crime -increasing levels of economic crime and corruption -corruption and economic crime represent a threat to the very essence of the rule of law -direct and indirect damage caused by such crime is increasing

Caracteristics of nowadays crime -globalisation – borders are gone -perpetrators with special knowledge, skills and influence -prepared to do everything to keep their position and privileges

Corruption -very diffucult to gather evidence, to prove and prosecute (both parties happy) -all the elements of the criminal act must be proven -special investigating techniques -international cooperation

Corruption -prevention, awareness raising -good cooperation between authorities -investigative journalism

1. stable and good legislation 2. specialised police, prosecution and judiciary 3. effective investigation and cooperation Effective investigation and prosecution in practice

-laws that do not change too often -definitions of criminal acts that are well structured -budget, resources Stable and good legislation

for successful prosecution of complex crime the whole “chain of justice” must work well Effective investigation and prosecution in practice

Police – establishment of National Bureau of Investigation in 2010 Prosecution - establishment of Specialised State Prosecutor’s Office in 2011 Judiciary – establishment of Specialised Departments in 2011 Specialised law enforcement

-complex crime investigated by forming Specialised investigation teams (Tax Office, Customs, Money Laundering Office, Court of Audit, Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, Police) working together on a case lead by the prosecutor -in cases where two or more states are involved investigation should be done with Joint investigation teams Effective investigation and cooperation

-specialisation, education -good cooperation between authorities, mutual trust -“climate in the society” – corruption is something bad and dangerous -understanding, respect and support of our work -time, “peaceful” environment Positive results

-big cases -the “untauchables” -influencial people, “two fights, two trials” - media defence -discreditation, use of all means -“concealed” pressure -brave people Pressure

-prosecutor’s place is in the courtroom (presumption of innocence, the right to a fair trial – limited by the law) -fear from media, “make you or brake you” -objective media - ally Relationship Prosecution and Media

THANK YOU FOR YOU ATTENTION