The Ministry of Justice – in collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and with South Korea’s support – launched a training course on September 19 on “The principles of prosecution in anti-money laundering and terrorism financing cases”.
A total of 36 judicial officials and police as well as the prosecutor’s offices in Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Kampong Thom provinces attended the workshop.
The workshop’s opening was held in Siem Reap province and presided over by ministry undersecretary of state Khieu Sophany. Also in attendance via video link was South Korean ambassador to Cambodia Park Heung-kyeong and UNODC representative Marion Ehalt.
Sophany said those participating would go through “Module I” of the training course.
“Module I aims to continue strengthening the capacity and expertise of judges, prosecutors and judicial police officials in implementing the law on anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing more effectively and quickly by focusing mainly on the investigations and prosecutions,” she said.
She added that the training would strengthen the technical capacity of participants, noting that the outcomes of court proceedings directly contribute to the effectiveness of anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing in Cambodia.
Ministry spokesman Chin Malin said on September 20 that the ministry regularly conducted training and capacity building seminars in collaboration with partners and all stakeholders.
“This training is to strengthen the capacity of any specific special skills to deal with these particular criminal offences. Such training in advance of the proceedings provide the specific knowledge and skills to those working in the justice field on issues like money laundering and human trafficking,” he said.
Back on September 8, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng called on relevant institutions to seek support and build consensus in the polity for the implementation of strict enforcement of the law against all money laundering and human trafficking in Cambodia.
He said the crime affects Cambodia’s image internationally and robs the country of investment opportunities, tourism dollars and donor funding.
