The National Institute of Justice and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have launched a program of public lectures and workshops aimed at strengthening the capacities of justice sector professionals in preventing and combating crimes associated with virtual assets.
“Virtual Assets: Basic Concepts, Legal Uses, and Associated Risks” was the theme of the public lecture delivered to the INJ audience and trainers. The lecture was held by Michal Gromek, OSCE Senior Expert on Virtual Assets and Chair of the Digital Assets Task Force within the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime. The event addressed typologies of virtual assets relevant to the judicial system, fundamental concepts, as well as methods of use and abuse by criminals.
On 15-16 September 2025, judges and prosecutors took part in the workshop “Methods and tactics for investigating crimes committed through the use of electronic/virtual currencies. admissibility, relevance, and assessment of evidence in criminal proceedings”. The sessions were facilitated by OSCE experts: Anita Veternik, District State Prosecutor and Deputy National Member for Slovenia at Eurojust; Arina Corsei Vultureanu, Prosecutor and Head of the Cybercrime Unit Service within DIICOT, Romania; and Lenche Ristoska, Public Prosecutor and Liaison Prosecutor of North Macedonia at Eurojust.
The workshop agenda included the introduction of concepts and definitions of virtual assets, identification of scenarios in which they appear in criminal proceedings and the institutions involved, as well as the analysis of the legal framework on securing virtual assets. The program also integrated case studies and practical exercises to consolidate theoretical knowledge.
In the coming month, further training activities dedicated to this topic will continue.
