Combating Transnational Crime: Prosecutor of the Vitebsk Region Participated in a Working Meeting in Smolensk with Colleagues

Law enforcement agencies of the Vitebsk region maintain close cooperation with the law enforcement agencies of the Smolensk and Pskov regions, which allows for the successful fulfillment of tasks in combating cross-border crime assigned to the security forces of the two states.

First and foremost, this includes the fight against drug trafficking, illicit arms trafficking, and illegal migration. Modern realities present new challenges: the rise of cybercrimes and online fraud.

In this regard, joint measures are being implemented to ensure law and order and public safety in the border areas, a mechanism for exchanging operational information has been established, and timely execution of incoming requests is ensured.

The Prosecutor of the Vitebsk region, Igor Ukrainets, noted with satisfaction that constructive cooperation has been established between the law enforcement officers of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, which "allows for prompt and competent resolution of tasks related to protecting the constitutional order of the states, citizens' rights and freedoms, and strengthening legality and public safety." The Prosecutor also drew attention to issues of cooperation in preventing the illegal import of firearms and ammunition into the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

"Undoubtedly, issues of combating illicit drug trafficking remain an object of particular attention. It should be noted that in most cases, drugs enter the territory of the Vitebsk region from the territory of the Russian Federation. Issues of illegal migration remain relevant. Thus, in the current year, the number of detected groups of illegal migrants (from 8 to 27) and the foreigners within them (from 46 to 157) has significantly increased. Special attention should be paid to the issues of illegal import of firearms and ammunition into the territory of the Republic of Belarus from the Russian Federation, including through temporary checkpoints. Since the beginning of the current year, 30 criminal cases of this category have been initiated," stated Roman Chudakov, Head of the Department of the Vitebsk Regional Prosecutor's Office, in his speech.

In the same period of 2022, only 1 criminal case was initiated.

about the illegal movement from the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus of firearms.

During the meeting, a common opinion was expressed on the need to organize timely exchange of information and positive experience between border regions for more effective detection, prevention and disclosure of cross-border crimes, as well as to continue the practice of exchanging regulatory legal acts, statistical, analytical and other materials.

 

Information Service of the Vitebsk Regional Prosecutor's Office