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Chief prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi said DNA in 2016 set liens worth 667 million euros, a surge by 72-percent from the year before.
"Recovering the proceeds of crime was an important component of our activity on 2016. Liens were set worth 667 million euros, which is a notable surge by 72 percent y-o-y. Oftentimes, DNA cases regard people deriving huge profits, acquiring goods in other countries or opening bank accounts in other jurisdictions. No criminal offender should feel safe, no matter where he or she may hide their proceeds of crime," Kovesi told a DNA 2016 activity report meeting on Thursday.
She added that DNA sent 80 international letters rogatory for evidence administration and identification of assets.
"This way, we managed to impound two properties in France worth in excess of 3.5 million euros, while in Spain we set a lien on two buildings worth more than 500,000 euros. We asked for the freezing of bank accounts in Cyprus, Switzerland and Germany," said Kovesi.
She added that in 2016, judges ordered under final and binding rulings in DNA cases the confiscation and recovery of proceeds of crime worth more than 226 million euro, which have to be paid into the national budget.
