Oct 29 - Minister Licudi Addresses ‘Arab Forum on Asset Recovery’
Last weekend, the Minister for Justice, Gilbert Licudi QC, attended the Second Meeting of the Arab Forum on Asset Recovery held at Marrakech.
The meeting, which was co- hosted by the United Kingdom as the current President of the G8, was attended by over 300 delegates from forty countries including the Attorney Generals of both the UK and United States.
Mr Licudi was invited to address the conference. He spoke of Gibraltar’s willingness to assist any foreign nation which embarks on a criminal investigation or has started criminal proceedings and which submits a Letter of Request to Gibraltar. Mr Licudi explained the robust anti-money laundering legislation in place and highlighted the measures available to assist foreign investigators including the gathering of evidence and the recognition of confiscation orders made by foreign states.
During his speech, Mr Licudi noted Gibraltar’s attendance earlier this year at the pre G8 Summit meeting with the UK’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, at which Gibraltar confirmed its continued commitment to principles of openness, transparency and international co-operation. Mr Licudi also spoke of Gibraltar’s compliance with all relevant international standards on co-operation in the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, tax evasion and corrupt practices.
The Meeting had three different streams, for policy-makers, investigators and prosecutors. The Gibraltar delegation was made of Mr Licudi together with Kevin Warwick, Senior Departmental Counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Inspector Brian Finlayson of the Royal Gibraltar Police and James Lennane of the Attorney General’s Chambers.
