Brussels, 19/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - According to a press release, on Monday 18 March, the EP's special committee in charge of tackling organised crime and corruption (CRIM) tabled its first proposals at a new sitting. Its rapporteur Salvatore Iacolino (EPP, Italy), responsible for introducing these proposals, suggested that the post of public prosecutor should be created to protect the EU's financial interests and that an EU-wide definition of Mafia-style crime is introduced. This definition could also cover other “business orientated” criminal groups involved in intimidation. This common definition would help to better coordinate the efforts being made to combat the organised gangs, efforts which, until now, have been hampered by the different definitions in each country, explained the rapporteur.
The post of European prosecutor (the EP and other bodies have been calling for this post to be created for a long time) would be in charge of fighting against “euro crimes”, and would work with national prosecutors and in collaboration with Europol, Eurojust and OLAF. Any individual/organisation linked to organised crime and who has been convicted for money laundering or corruption would be excluded from EU public tenders and their convictions would also immediately apply throughout the EU, insisted Iacolino. He also advocated specific legislation to protect witnesses and informants throughout the EU, which would allow them to begin a new life out of the clutches of the organised gangs.
According to new data published by Europol on Tuesday 19 March, there are 3,600 organised crime groups in the EU. Drug trafficking is the biggest and most lucrative activity these groups are involved in. The Commission has estimated that €120 billion is spent yearly on fighting corruption in the EU. (SP/transl.fl)