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The Public Prosecutor asserted that the mechanisms of seizure and confiscation have become fundamental pillars in modern criminal policies, due to their crucial role in targeting the financial structures of organized crime, drying up its resources, and limiting its capacity to persist and expand.
This statement was made during the inaugural speech at the annual meeting of law enforcement agencies, organized by the National Financial Information Authority in Rabat under the title: “Practical Challenges in Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing: Seizure and Confiscation as a Model,” attended by judicial and security officials as well as representatives from relevant institutions.
The Public Prosecutor emphasized that this annual meeting is no longer just a passing event but has transformed into a regular institutional gathering and a national specialized platform for exchanging views, evaluating experiences, and envisioning ways to advance the national system for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. He highlighted the high level of strategic partnership and ongoing coordination between the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the National Financial Information Authority.
He explained that the choice of the topic of seizure and confiscation is particularly significant in light of the rapid transformations occurring in the global economy and the evolving criminal methods used to conceal illicit proceeds, as well as the direct link of this initiative to the mutual evaluation process of the national system during the period of 2026-2028.
The judicial official noted that tracing, seizing, and confiscating criminal assets is facing increasing challenges due to the transnational nature of crime, the complexity of financial and digital structures, difficulties in accessing financial data, and identifying true beneficiaries, in addition to constraints related to managing seized assets and preserving their economic value.
In this context, he stressed that the effectiveness of seizure and confiscation procedures does not stop at issuing judicial rulings but requires establishing a comprehensive system, both procedurally and technically, that ensures the tracing, inventorying, and assessing of criminal assets, as well as the execution of confiscation decisions and their proper management for the public good.
He pointed out that the Public Prosecutor’s Office has made this initiative a priority within its criminal policy, by developing mechanisms for financial investigation, enhancing information exchange with the National Financial Information Authority, launching platforms and digital applications to track money laundering cases and international judicial cooperation, as well as preparing practical guides and strengthening the capacities of public prosecutors through specialized training programs and experience exchanges.
On the international level, he highlighted the Public Prosecutor’s involvement in several regional and international initiatives related to the tracing and recovery of criminal assets, including the regional network for asset recovery in North Africa and the Middle East, various African Union initiatives, cooperation with Interpol and United Nations bodies, as well as its contribution to evaluating the national system under relevant international agreements.
The Public Prosecutor confirmed the adoption of a balanced approach in the field of seizure and confiscation, combining effectiveness in combating economic and financial crime with respect for rights and freedoms, particularly the right to property, while ensuring that legitimate economic activities are not unjustifiably harmed. He emphasized that this vision is reflected in the provisions of the new Criminal Procedure Code.
He concluded his speech by affirming that enhancing the system of seizure and confiscation and managing seized assets remains contingent upon effective institutional governance, qualified human resources, advanced technical capabilities, and close coordination among all stakeholders, expressing hope that the deliberations of this meeting will lead to practical recommendations that support national efforts in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
