In a significant development aimed at fostering collaboration and addressing challenges in the prosecution of crimes related to the legalization of criminally obtained property, a high-level meeting transpired on December 2 between the delegation of the Financial Monitoring Service and judges of the Baku Serious Crimes Court.

Commencing the meeting, Mr. Zaur Fetizada, Chairman of the Executive Board of FMS, extended a warm welcome to all participants. He underscored the paramount importance of enhancing cooperation between FMS and relevant investigative bodies and courts. The focus was on overcoming obstacles encountered during the prosecution of crimes associated with the legalization of unlawfully acquired property.

Mr. Ismayil Khalilov, Chairman of the Baku Serious Crimes Court, expressed appreciation for FMS's initiative and highlighted the potential for a result-oriented approach to addressing existing shortcomings in collaboration.

Mr. Azer Abbasov, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, elaborated on practical challenges related to the description of property legalization. During his presentation, he drew attention to prevalent legalization schemes and urged participants to consider practical solutions.

Ms. Ayten Mirzazadeh, a specialist in the relevant field at FMS, provided comprehensive solutions to overcome challenges in prosecuting crimes related to the legalization of unlawfully obtained property, as outlined in Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The discussions also delved into international standards, best practices, and experiences from countries with continental legal systems.

The high-level meeting, held at the Justice Academy of the Ministry of Justice, saw active participation from 23 judges of the Baku Serious Crimes Court. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen the judicial process and uphold the highest standards in combating crimes related to property legalization.