The rapid development of cross-border organised crime will have a major impact on the activities of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) for the period 2026-2028. In its programming document published on 27 March, the agency points out that “criminal networks have become increasingly transnational, often extending well beyond the borders of the European Union”, and that they “almost systematically include a digital component”.
As a result, Eurojust, whose role is changing as investigations become more complex, expects to have supported more than 13,000 cases by 2024, a figure that is rising steadily as a result of continuing operational pressure.
This intensification is also reflected in an increase in joint investigation teams and requests for judicial coordination.
For the next three years, the document sets as a priority the strengthening of digital capabilities and improving the handling of electronic evidence. Eurojust also plans to extend its cooperation with third countries, as some criminal organisations operate from regions outside the European Union.
In addition, the agency is counting on a moderate increase in its resources, with a workforce of over 400 by 2028. It specifies that this development must keep pace with “the increasing complexity of cases and the scale of the data to be processed”.
The agency plans to upgrade its tools to better process electronic evidence and coordinate investigations involving criminal networks operating in several countries.
The document (in French): https://aeur.eu/f/leo (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)