The Western Balkans Criminal Justice project (WBCJ), in cooperation with the European Judicial Cybercrime Network (EJCN), organised a specialised training on investigating and prosecuting crimes involving crypto-assets this week in Tirana.
The two-day training aimed to strengthen the capacities of investigators and prosecutors from Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) and judges from the Special Courts of First Instance and Appeal for Corruption and Organised Crime in addressing the growing challenges posed by the criminal use of crypto-assets.
The training featured presentations from two of Europe’s leading experts in the field of cybercrime and crypto-asset investigations. Their extensive hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge provided participants with valuable insights into practical methodologies, real-life case examples, and effective investigative strategies.
By combining both technical and legal perspectives, participants were guided through the complex landscape of crypto-asset investigations. Through interactive exercises and case-based discussions, participants explored how blockchain technology operates, how digital wallets and transactions can be traced, and how to recognise indicators of crypto-asset use in criminal activities. The sessions also addressed the legal frameworks governing the seizure of crypto-assets and examined practical aspects of cooperation in cross-border contexts.
By bridging theory and practice, the training aimed to deliver tangible benefits to participants, enhancing their investigative and prosecutorial skills while fostering stronger cooperation between judicial authorities in the Western Balkans and the European Union.
The WBCJ project plans to organise similar trainings for practitioners of other Western Balkans countries in 2026.
