OLAF hosts Bosnian Prosecutors and Investigators to Strengthen Cooperation on Financial Crime

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is hosting a delegation of prosecutors and investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) working on economic and financial crime cases. The study visit is taking place in Brussels on 19-20 March and aims at enhancing cooperation between OLAF and BiH in the area of fight against financial crime, money laundering and corruption. 

The visit underscores OLAF’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with authorities in EU candidate countries to protect the financial interests of the European Union. Effective collaboration with Bosnian law enforcement is particularly crucial in cases involving cross border financial transactions, fraud and irregularities involving EU funds in Western Balkans and beyond. 

During the visit, discussion focuses on best practices for notifying OLAF of suspected fraud, methodologies for collecting and analysing financial crime evidence, and ensuring its legal admissibility. Participants also explore concrete examples of OLAF investigations in candidate countries, providing insights into successful fraud detection and prevention strategies.  

A key agenda item is the establishment of an Anti-Fraud Coordination Service (AFCOS) in Bosnia and Herzegovina to streamline cooperation. The discussions further focuses on aligning Bosnian judicial and investigative framework with EU standards for financial protection.  

This visit is part of the EU4Justice Project, funded by the European Union with the aim to harmonise BiH’s judicial system with European standards.