Press Release: How seizing criminal assets could leave everyone better off – except criminals

On the 25 February 2014, the European Parliament voted new rules aiming to make easier to freeze and confiscate the proceeds of crime across the EU. Seizing criminals' assets is a key part of fighting crime, yet only less than 1% of their ill-gotten gains is confiscated. This will prevent the money being reinvested in organised crime.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: STATEMENT/14/21: Cecilia Malmström welcomes European Parliament's vote on new EU rules to crack down on crime profits http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-21_en.htm

EUObserver, 25.02.14: EU to donate criminal assets to charity http://euobserver.com/justice/123264

Euronews, 25.02.14: MEPs back tougher rules on seizing proceeds of crime http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/25/meps-back-tougher-rules-on-seizing-proceeds-of-crime/

ESO: Background information: Informal agreement on the freezing and confiscation of proceeds of crime in the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-informal-agreement-on-the-freezing-and-confiscation-of-proceeds-of-crime-in-the-eu/

---