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It is estimated that over half a billion adults play chess regularly, that is equivalent to over ten per cent of World’s adult population. The game emerged from the Indian sub-continent in the sixth century CE. In the following centuries not only had the game spread throughout Eurasia but by 1500 CE it had morphed into the international form that we know today. Its spread was facilitated by the movement of armies but, more than that, through the cultural exchange that characterised the ancient silk roads.
The origins of chess lie in the game of Chaturanga, which means ‘four parts’. The four players would each command one army division, which would occupy its own corner of the board. Each division comprised five infantry, three cavalry, one chariot and one elephant. Unfortunately, no written records of the moves of the individual pieces or the rules of the game exist, but there were probably considerable local variations. Around 600 CE the game also became known in Persia. The story is that the Indian ambassador challenged the Persians to figure out the rules of ‘chess’. Buzurjmihr, a wise Persian minister, was the one to succeed within the time limit set.
Buzurjmihr masters the game of chess (c. 1300)Detail from Shahnama, Aga Khan Museum , Toronto, Canada
The Persians adapted the game in several ways. They set up the sixteen pieces at opposite ends of the 8×8 board. he King and his advisor to be placed side-by-side in the centre, flanked by elephants, knights and the rook (‘rukh’ in Persian meaning ‘chariot’). In front of them were the infantry. They also established the moves. The two pieces that deviate most from today were that the elephants could only move two squares diagonally, and the advisor only one move in any direction. The game spread throughout the Persian empire and, after the triumph of Islam, it followed in the shadow of the armies.
Chess arrived in China sometime in the eighth century CE, probably brought by Buddhist monks. The Chinese also adapted the game. They increased the board to 9×10 with a ‘celestial river’, running across the centre of the board. They added an advisor to the other side of the King. In the front line they had five infantry, and two cannons ahead of each of the cavalry. The further change was that the pieces were placed on the intersecting lines rather than in the squares themselves.
Chinese officials playing chess (1319)Detail from a mural in Low Guangsheng Temple, Hong Tong County, Shanxi, China.
Chess first spread into Europe as the Islamic armies conquered large swathes of the Iberian Peninsula and, later, conquered Sicily and established footholds in Italy. The game was probably carried North into Scandinavia by the Viking, sailing down the Volga and Dnieper rivers to trade with Baghdad, and from there into Britain and Northern Europe. Once in Europe, the rules shape of the game began to change. By the 11thcentury, the King’s advisor had become his queen, and the elephants had mutated into bishops (rumour has it that the shape of the tip of an elephant’s tusk resembled a bishop’s mitre). The board became chequered (though not always black and white) and the pieces themselves became more figurative.
An Arab and a Crusader playing chess (1282)Detail from Libro de los Juegos, Monastery Library of St. Lorenze del Escorial, Madrid, Spain
It was now that the game began to change towards the ‘international’ game we know today. Having been introduced, the queen and bishop increased in power. The restriction of only two moves diagonally was removed for the elephant/bishop and the queen could move unlimited in straight lines in any direction, making her the most powerful piece on the board. Later still, because these changes had made it too easy to capture the King, ‘castling’ was introduced. This allowed the rook/castle could switch position, giving the King more defensive options.
The initial alignment of the chess board (1496)From Luis de Lucena, ‘Repetición de amores; Arte de ajedrez’, Biblioteca Nacional de España, Madrid, Spain.
All that was needed was someone to codify the rules. The oldest surviving copy dates from the end of the 15thcentury entitled ‘Repetition of Loves and the Art of Chess’. The book outlines all the rules, contains descriptions of 150 games and describes some of the most famous opening strategies, such as ‘the King’s gambit’.
By then the game had spanned the entire Eurasian continent and had percolated down the social classes. Anyone with a stick to scratch some lines in the earth and a pocket full of coins or a few stones could play. It became a metaphor for vicissitudes of the game of everyday life, and a certainty that it would all, one day, come to an end. It was about this time that images of Death, the ultimate victor in the game of life, inviting himself to the chess table.
Death joins a game of chess (15th century)Copper-plate engraving. Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany.
The exhibition, ‘Chess along the Silk Road, 600-1500CE’, contains thirty sets of artifacts (pictures and chess pieces) from nineteen libraries and museums located in ten different countries. It is now open in a brand new, modern exhibition space.
Amidst the dynamic shifts of the global landscape, Pakistan a nuclear power country, finds itself at a crucial juncture, navigating the complexities of international relations and strategic partnerships. The recently concluded 4th International Workshop for Leadership and Security (4th IWLS), organized by the Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) at the National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad, provided a platform for insightful discussions on Pakistan’s position in the world today.
One of the key themes explored during the workshop was the “Evolving Global and Regional Order,” which saw experts from the United States, China, and Pakistan sharing their perspectives on the changing dynamics of international relations.
Mr. Michael Kugleman, Director of the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute, offering insights from the United States, shed light on President Biden’s efforts to counter the influence of China and Russia, particularly in the wake of ongoing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. He highlighted the shifting focus of US foreign policy towards Asia, emphasizing economic re-dollarization initiatives and efforts to rebuild institutions like the World Bank.
Dr. Li Li, Senior Research Officer and Deputy Director of the Institute of International Relation at Tsinghua University in China, emphasized the importance of unrelenting globalization and China’s commitment to a multipolar and inclusive world order. She cautioned against the pitfalls of a bipolar focus, stressing the need for cooperation rather than competition between the US and China.
From Pakistan’s perspective, analysts Ambassador Zamir Akram and Dr. Maria Sultan, Director of South Asia Strategic Stability Institute, discussed the challenges posed by US support for India, particularly in the context of transnational relations. The country finds itself at a crossroads, seeking to balance its security interests with its economic aspirations. Despite some disruptions in its relations with the US, Pakistan is increasingly looking towards China as a strategic partner, leveraging initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to enhance connectivity and economic development.
Participants at the 4th International Workshop for Leadership and Security (4th IWLS), organized by the Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) at the National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad, Pakistan. Photography by NDU.
Moreover, Pakistan’s stance on issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict underscores its commitment to upholding international law and principles of justice. The unwavering support from the US to Israel has strained relations with Islamic countries like Pakistan, prompting a reevaluation of traditional alliances and a call for greater adherence to the principles of the United Nations.
As the workshop concluded, it became evident that Pakistan’s role in the world today is shaped by a complex interplay of geopolitical, economic, and security considerations. The country’s ability to navigate these challenges while staying true to its principles will determine its trajectory in an increasingly interconnected and multipolar world.
In essence, the 4th IWLS provided a forum for critical reflection and dialogue, highlighting Pakistan’s evolving role in shaping the global order and reaffirming its commitment to promote cooperation and stability on the world stage.
Advances in international cooperation with the implementation of the National Search Plan
Between February 13 and 17, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Chile, Luis Cordero Vega, representing President Gabriel Boric Font, visited the Netherlands, during which he had an important agenda of meetings and activities.
The main instance considered the signing of the Ljubljana – The Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of the Crime of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes. In addition to that, he held meetings with high authorities of international organizations and the government of the Netherlands and closed with a keynote talk on the National Search Plan (PNB) at the University of Leiden.
In the presentation, the minister addressed the relevance of the PNB, as a fundamental pillar in Chile’s human rights policy, an event attended by academics, students, diplomats, and representatives of international organizations.
The Hague, February 14th 2024
Signing conference ljubljana in peace palace
Photo Valerie Kuypers
He noted that: “it represents the most significant effort in the area of human rights in Chile, bringing together institutions and experts in a large-scale multidisciplinary task”, highlighting the inter-institutional effort deployed by the State of Chile to clarify the circumstances of disappearance and/or death of victims of forced disappearance.
Meetings and bilateral meetings
During his time in The Hague, the ministerial agenda included a meeting with Kathryne Bomberger, Director General of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), a space where collaborations with the National Search Plan were addressed, specifically, with the Servicio Médico Legal (Legal Medical Service), in areas of unification of missing person’s data and the implementation of advanced forensic technologies.
Kathryne Bomberger,
In his meeting with the Director General of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Pascalle Grotenhuis, key issues regarding access to justice and the fight against transnational organized crime were discussed, reinforcing bilateral ties and exploring areas of possible work collaborations.
International Criminal Court ICC
On his state tour to the headquarters of the Dutch government, the national authority met with representatives of the International Criminal Court (ICC) headed by the President of the Court, Judge Piotr Hofmański, a space that was used to discuss issues such as strengthening commitment of Chile with the Court, judicial cooperation and Chile’s support for the policies of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office on childhood and gender crimes.
Added to this were the advances in the implementation of the Rome Statute and its amendments, and the cooperation and complementarity between the ICC and national justice systems. The meeting highlighted Chile’s commitment to multilateralism, international law and justice, and the peaceful resolution of controversies, aligning with Chile’s foreign policy priorities that promote human rights, especially in the relationship with children and women.
Signing of the Ljubljana – The Hague Convention
As part of his visit, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Luis Cordero, representing the President of the Republic, Gabriel Boric Font, attended the signing of the Ljubljana – The Hague Convention, which represents an important advance in the fight against impunity and the protection of human rights at a global level.
The Ljubljana – Hague Convention is the result of more than a decade of negotiations, establishing a crucial framework for the investigation and prosecution of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war and other international crimes, marking a milestone in the global effort to eradicate impunity and safeguard human rights worldwide.
“After 25 years of the last Convention signed for the prosecution of these crimes, which was the creation of the International Criminal Court, a Convention was signed again that was discussed for more than 10 years and whose purpose is to ensure that States are effective in the investigation and above all in the protection of victims of crimes against humanity. For Chile, it is not only a responsibility to have signed it, but it is within the context of the investigation of these crimes and its policy regarding reparation for crimes of the dictatorship,” said Minister Luis Cordero.
The Ljubljana – The Hague Convention, adopted in Slovenia and signed in the Netherlands, seeks to intensify cooperation between nations for the prosecution of the most serious crimes that affect humanity. Chile, already committed from its early stages as a signatory to the “MLA-Initiative”, played a crucial role in drafting the treaty, along with countries such as the Netherlands, Canada, Slovenia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This convention not only clearly defines international crimes, but also establishes a framework for cooperation between States for their investigation and prosecution.
Une Entrevue Éclairante avec l’Ambassadeur de la Côte d’Ivoire
Diplomat Magazine s’est engagé dans un dialogue perspicace avec l’ambassadeur Mifougo Youssouf Diarrassouba, de la Côte d’Ivoire, portant sur sa carrière et son mandat aux Pays-Bas. Alors que ces deux pays sont des partenaires économiques, l’accent a été mis sur la consolidation de leurs relations et sur les perspectives d’avenir.
S.E. M. Mifougo Youssouf Diarrassouba occupe le poste d’ambassadeur de la République de Côte d’Ivoire auprès du Royaume des Pays-Bas depuis le 24 mai 2023, date à laquelle il a présenté ses lettres de créance à Sa Majesté le Roi Willem-Alexander.
Dans cet entretien, l’ambassadeur partage son parcours professionnel, soulignant son passage par divers secteurs avant d’embrasser la diplomatie. Il insiste sur deux aspects fondamentaux dans ce domaine : la défense sans concession des intérêts nationaux et l’ouverture d’esprit envers les autres, soulignant ainsi l’art complexe de la diplomatie. “J’ai été formé pour être un administrateur des services de l’Etat en général et des services financiers en particulier.” dit t’il “Mais, plutôt que de rester cantonné au Ministère de des Finances, j’ai eu la chance dans ma carrière d’exercer dans d’autres sphères avant d’embrasser la carrière diplomatique. Ces différentes expériences m’ont enseigné deux points qui sont fondamentaux dans la diplomatie et les relations internationales :
La défense des intérêts de son pays (sans concession) ;
L’ouverture vers l’autre, l’ouverture d’esprit.
Ces deux attitudes, à priori contradictoires, sont au contraire le lot quotidien des diplomates et constituent tout l’art de la diplomatie.”
Ayant également occupé le poste d’ambassadeur en République de Guinée pendant une période significative, l’Ambassadeur Diarrassouba met en lumière les défis et les opportunités qu’il a rencontrés dans ce rôle. Malgré les perturbations dues à la pandémie de Covid-19, il décrit son expérience enrichissante, notamment ses interactions avec les diplomates étrangers et son rôle de médiateur entre le gouvernement guinéen et l’opposition. “Ce fut une expérience humaine très enrichissante pour moi d’autant que j’ai appris quelques aspects de la géopolitique internationale que je n’aurais pu découvrir dans aucune université ou dans aucun livre.”
S.E. Mifougo Youssouf Diarrassouba, Ambassadeur de la Côte d’Ivoire.
En ce qui concerne les relations entre la Côte d’Ivoire et les Pays-Bas, l’ambassadeur souligne leur longue histoire diplomatique depuis 1961, soulignant l’excellence des échanges commerciaux croissants. Il met en avant le rôle crucial des Pays-Bas en tant que principal partenaire de la Côte d’Ivoire dans le domaine du cacao et exprime le désir d’approfondir cette coopération, notamment dans la transformation locale des fèves de cacao et dans les investissements privés nécessaires au développement du pays. “Je vous rappelle que la Côte d’Ivoire est le premier producteur mondial de cacao au monde et que les Pays-Bas sont le premier partenaire de la Côte d’Ivoire pour le cacao qui transite essentiellement par le Port d’Amsterdam.” souligne Ambassadeur Diarrassouba.
Par ailleurs, l’Ambassadeur Diarrassouba évoque sa mission de promouvoir la destination Côte d’Ivoire auprès des Néerlandais, en mettant en avant la richesse de la culture ivoirienne et les opportunités d’investissement. Il envisage également d’organiser un Forum d’affaires Côte d’Ivoire – Pays-Bas pour stimuler davantage la coopération économique entre les deux pays.
“Mais, nous souhaitons aller au-delà. En ce moment, le taux de transformation locale des fèves de cacao est de 31% alors que le Gouvernement souhaite que 100% de la production du pays soit transformée localement à l’horizon 2030. Avec leur large expérience dans ce domaine, les Pays-Bas pourraient inspirer la Côte d’Ivoire.
Plus largement, la Côte d’Ivoire a besoin des investissements privés néerlandais pour financer son développement à travers le Plan National de Développement 2021-2025 qui requiert un niveau d’investissement de l’ordre de 98 milliards de dollars dont 74% attendus du secteur privé.” Mr Diarrassouba nous explique sa position ” Je ne ménagerai aucun effort pour amener nos hôtes néerlandais à prendre leur participation dans le financement des projets inscrits au Plan National de Développement de la Côte d’Ivoire.”
Enfin, l’Ambassadeur souligne le rôle crucial de la diplomatie dans un monde en évolution rapide, marqué par des défis tels que les conflits internationaux, la cybercriminalité et le changement climatique. Il met en avant les compétences essentielles des diplomates, notamment leur capacité à négocier, analyser et résoudre les conflits, tout en soulignant l’importance de l’adaptation et de l’anticipation dans un monde de plus en plus globalisé.
Cette entrevue avec l’Ambassadeur Mifougo Youssouf Diarrassouba offre un aperçu éclairant des priorités diplomatiques de la Côte d’Ivoire aux Pays-Bas, mettant en lumière les opportunités de coopération et les défis à relever pour renforcer les liens entre ces deux nations.
Mirella Pocasangre de Vásquez is a proud Salvadoran lawyer, notary, and also law professor, who for the last 17 years has fully embraced the diplomatic life, along with her husband, a career diplomat now ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
United States, Türkiye and the Netherlands have all been ‘HOME’ to them, adding beautiful chapters to their life story. From her words you get that she is an optimist, she loves life and welcomed all changes with an open heart.
‘I grew up during a challenging time in my country’s recent history, but I always maintained a positive outlook. Later, I have found happiness in each country we have lived in, although I must admit that the first move was the most difficult one, as it meant leaving my home country, my family, and my career. In time, I realized the blessing of this life and I have no regrets now.’
She was no longer a professional, but the full-time mother of Pablo and Miguel, and she devoted her life to her family. She learned to find good in everything and fully benefit from all the experiences, enrich her soul with beautiful memories. What’s most important, she found her role in this diplomatic great puzzle.
‘I have learned that there are many times when I cease to be Mirella, the lawyer, and simply become the Salvadoran. People often do not remember my name, but they do remember where I come from. Although I am not with an official position, I always try to uphold the name and the beauties of my country, something that can be achieved with small but significant details. Understanding each other is key for good diplomacy, even across cultures and religions. Although barrier language may seem hard, we can still find ways to connect and be friends. Even with big differences, building good relationships is always possible. Some people believe that diplomatic life is all about travel, social life, and privileges. However, I strongly believe that it is a life of commitment, and I see this every day at my husband. There are no office hours, no weekends, and when duty calls, he answers unconditionally. This is a lifestyle that can only be achieved when one puts the interests of the country first.’
The Ambassador of El Salvador, H.E. Mr. Agustín Vásquez Gómez and his spouse Mirella Pocasangre de Vásquez donating Mirella’s painting to IIllimani cafeteria.
However devoted and involved she is, she still confesses that sometimes she feels the challenges of being away from family and friends. ‘Saying goodbye is difficult. Not being able to share special moments with family is painful. Being far from our parents is hard, and not being able to attend my father’s funeral due to the distance was even harder. Not being able to help my mom and my in-laws in their old age, as well as my brothers, is a source of regret, not being able to give a hug, a simple thing which means a lot. Nowadays my heart is in the Netherlands with my husband, but it is also with my children at their places of study, many kilometers away, and naturally, it is in my home country with my family, as well.’
One of the constants in all life stories that I have had the pleasure of discovering over the past 4 years, while writing these interviews, is that many of these remarkable women have found their calling and vocation while living the diplomatic lives. Each has rediscovered passions that may have been long forgotten and has taken it upon her to offer some of that to the world. Mirella is yet another wonderful example.
‘Since I was a little girl, I loved to paint and loved colors. My parents always bought me crayons and I had fun painting the walls in our house, my bed and everything that was around. When I was in school, I won a painting competition. My classmates often asked me for help them make drawings. At the age of 12, my parents put me in drawing and painting classes with the Salvadoran teacher, Miguel Angel Orellana. It was a short time, but it marked me and I still put what I learned then into practice. Over the years, I put aside painting but, five years ago, during my first time living in the Netherlands, I took a short course in acrylic painting, also learning some new and different techniques. Then, during the pandemic, I picked up my brushes and acrylics again. I don’t paint with oil because I am too impatient, and I prefer to use acrylics, as they are more versatile. Recently, in a discussion with my good friend Rania, the wife of the Egyptian ambassador, talking about my hobbies, I mentioned painting.’
And that’s how they came up with the idea of offering painting classes to a group of diplomatic spouses in The Hague.
In the picture, a group of diplomatic spouses at the Egyptian residence in The Hague are shown displaying their first collaborative work following a painting workshop led by Mirealla Pocasandre de Vazquez.
‘We enthusiastically developed a workshop together, the first one in my life. The experience has been fabulous. The joy of the group is indescribable as it is a dream come true for many. It is even more gratifying to see them progress in their learning.’
You can feel the joy in her words and the fact that she is a generous and warm woman, who likes to share and bring happiness to others, too.
Mirella from El Salvador and Rania from Egypt.
‘All the paintings I have done so far have been given as gifts; the most recent is a painting of my country’s national bird, the torogoz, perched on a coffee branch, which I did for the Illimani cafeteria in The Hague, which sells gourmet Salvadoran coffee.’
She surrounds herself with beauty and good vibes and she brings that to others. Mirella is a great example of a perfect adaptation to diplomatic life, with all that it implies.
Her secret? An optimistic and faith-filled approach.
‘Either you have faith or you are afraid, but you cannot have both at the same time.’
ICC Appeals Chamber confirms the decision authorising the resumption of the investigation
1 st of March 2024, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court delivered its judgment in the appeal of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (“Venezuela”) against Pre-Trial Chamber I’s decision of June 27, 2023. The Appeals Chamber, by unanimity, rejected the appeal and confirmed the “Decision authorizing the resumption of the investigation”.
The Appeals Chamber in this appeal was composed of Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, Presiding, Judge Piotr Hofmański, Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa, and Judge Gocha Lordkipanidze.
Judge Perrin de Brichambaut read a summary of the Judgment in an open court hearing. He indicated that the Appeals Chamber rejected all six grounds of appeal submitted by Venezuela. In examining the grounds of appeal, the Appeals Chamber, among other conclusions, recalled its recent ruling, in the Philippines Judgment , that “the burden of providing information relevant to the pre-trial chamber’s determination under article 18(2) of the Statute remains on the State seeking deferral”.
The Appeals Chamber also considered that the focus of the Pre-Trial Chamber’s assessment was correctly on “whether Venezuela was conducting or had conducted any investigations or prosecutions of the same categories of individuals, that is alleged high-ranking members of the State security forces and pro‑government individuals, in relation to the relevant criminality”.
Furthermore, the Appeals Chamber discussed the issue of whether domestic investigations must cover contextual elements of crimes against humanity, such as the existence of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population or a policy. The Appeals Chamber considered that “the legal interests protected by each crime can be discerned by reference to the elements of that specific crime”.
It also found that in order to pursue the legal interests protected by crimes against humanity, a State, which, like Venezuela, has not incorporated crimes against humanity into its domestic law, while not required to investigate the alleged criminal acts under the legal qualification of crimes against humanity, must nevertheless investigate the factual allegations underpinning the contextual elements of such crimes”. The Appeals Chamber highlighted that while the Rome Statute does not expressly impose an obligation on States Parties to incorporate the crimes against humanity into their domestic legislation, “such incorporation may facilitate the fulfillment of their duty” to exercise criminal jurisdiction over “those responsible for international crimes”.
On other issues, the Appeals Chamber considered that Venezuela misrepresented the Impugned Decision and made unsubstantiated arguments on other points.
Agreement to extend the joint investigation team into alleged core international crimes in Ukraine for two years
The seven national authorities participating in the joint investigation team (JIT) on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine have agreed to prolong the JIT for two years. The Prosecutors General of the countries involved agreed to the extension in a coordination meeting that took place today in Kyiv, Ukraine. The meeting coincided with the United for Justice Conference, which also took place in Kyiv today.
Just three weeks after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Eurojust supported the establishment of a JIT set up on 25 March 2022 by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine. On 30 May 2022, Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia became members, followed by Romania on 13 October 2022. On 3 March 2023, the JIT’s seven national authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Department of Justice.
A joint investigation team is one of the most advanced tools used in international cooperation in criminal matters, comprising a legal agreement between competent authorities of two or more States for the purpose of carrying out criminal investigations. The aim of the JIT on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine is to facilitate investigations and prosecutions in the States concerned, as well as those that may be taken forward to the ICC.
During the coordination meeting, participants discussed the outcomes of the JIT work so far and the priorities for the next two years.
Eurojust provides legal, analytical, logistical and financial support to the JIT. Since March 2022, the Agency has hosted 22 coordination meetings involving JIT members and other national authorities that are investigating alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine.
The United for Justice Conference, which took place on 29 February in Kyiv, brought together a large number of stakeholders involved in the efforts to ensure accountability for core international crimes allegedly committed in Ukraine. Organised by the Ukrainian authorities, the event focused on cultural heritage.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, Andriy Kostin, opened the event with a keynote address. Speakers included the Minister of Justice of Poland, the Prosecutors General of Lithuania and Romania, and Eurojust President, Mr Ladislav Hamran.
Les juges de la Chambre de première instance IX de la CPI lors du prononcé de l’ordonnance de réparation aux victimes dans l’affaire Ongwen, le 28 février 2024.
Aujourd’hui, le 28 février 2024, la Chambre de première instance IX de la Cour pénale internationale , composée des juges Bertram Schmitt, Peter Kovács et Chang-ho Chung, a rendu en audience publique son ordonnance de réparation aux victimes dans l’affaire Le Procureur c. Dominic Ongwen. La Chambre a fixé la responsabilité financière de M. Ongwen à 52 429 000 EUR et a ordonné des réparations collectives communautaires axées sur la réhabilitation et des mesures symboliques de satisfaction, comprenant des programmes de réhabilitation collective, ainsi qu’une indemnité symbolique de 750 € pour toutes les victimes éligibles, ainsi que d’autres mesures symboliques communautaires.
Le juge Bertram Schmitt, juge président, a lu un résumé de l’ordonnance de réparation à l’encontre de M. Ongwen. Il a expliqué que la Chambre a estimé le nombre de victimes directes et indirectes potentiellement éligibles à environ 49 772 victimes.
La Chambre a conclu que les victimes directes des attaques, les victimes directes de crimes sexuels et sexistes, ainsi que les enfants nés de ces crimes et les anciens enfants soldats ont subi un préjudice physique, moral et matériel grave et durable. Les victimes indirectes de tous ces crimes ont subi un préjudice moral et matériel. En outre, l’ensemble de la communauté des victimes a subi un préjudice communautaire, et les enfants des victimes directes et les enfants nés de crimes sexuels et sexistes ont subi un préjudice transgénérationnel.
La Chambre a déclaré M. Ongwen indigent aux fins des réparations et a encouragé le Fonds au profit des victimes (FPV) à compléter les réparations accordées, dans la mesure du possible, et à s’engager dans des efforts supplémentaires de collecte de fonds dans la mesure nécessaire pour compléter la totalité de l’indemnité.
Notant l’indigence de M. Ongwen, la Chambre reconnaît également qu’il appartiendrait au Conseil de direction du FPV de déterminer si et quand utiliser ses « autres ressources » pour compléter les réparations accordées dans la présente affaire.
La Chambre a chargé le FPV de soumettre à son approbation, au plus tard le 3 septembre 2024, un projet de plan de mise en œuvre des mesures de réhabilitation et symboliques à inclure dans les réparations collectives communautaires accordées. La Chambre a également demandé au Fonds de donner la priorité au paiement des indemnités monétaires symboliques plutôt qu’à la réhabilitation et à d’autres mesures symboliques. La Chambre a reconnu qu’il faudra du temps avant que des paiements ne soient effectivement distribués aux victimes et que toutes les victimes ne recevraient pas le montant symbolique en même temps, notant que les paiements seraient versés en fonction des besoins urgents et de la vulnérabilité des victimes et de la capacité du FPV à compléter l’indemnisation.
La Chambre encourage les États, les organisations, les entreprises et les particuliers à soutenir la mission et les efforts du FPV et à contribuer à ses activités de collecte de fonds.
Eurojust supports joint investigation team with operations in Italy, Latvia and Lithuania, also tackling EUR 15 million Italian public money fraud.
Judicial and law enforcement authorities in Italy, Latvia and Lithuania have taken concerted action against a large-scale money laundering business, centring around a Lithuanian financial institution. Since 2017, an estimated EUR 2 billion has been laundered by two main suspects via a worldwide web of shell companies. The suspects, who now have been detained, offered money laundering online as a service to criminals.
A third main suspect, leading another organised crime group (OCG), was arrested in the same operation for defrauding the Italian authorities of EUR 15 million in public funds. These funds were laundered via the same myriad web of enterprises, centred around the financial institution in Lithuania.
During an action day on 27 February, around 250 judicial representatives and law enforcement officers were active on the ground. In total, 18 persons have been arrested, including the three main suspects. In total 55 places were searched and at least EUR 11.5 million in assets and bank accounts have been frozen. Eurojust and Europol played pivotal roles in facilitating and coordinating the international activities.
The financial institution offered money laundering as a service to thousands of criminals across the EU, by making fictitious financial transactions via the web of enterprises, which were run by strawmen. It advertised its alleged consultancy services online and was set up in Lithuania in 2016 by an Italian-based OCG.
The financial institution was led by the two main suspects, who resided in Lithuania and Latvia. The OCG laundered the proceedings of a range of criminal activities, including tax evasion, cyber fraud, fake bankruptcy and organised crime such as drug trafficking. Part of the proceeds were injected into the Latvian and Lithuanian economies via the purchase of real estate and luxury vehicles.
The laundered money included the EUR 15 million from unlawfully obtained so-called building bonuses, provided by the Italian national authorities. These bonuses were given for renovation and insulation works and other energy-saving measures of existing buildings. In reality, no repairs took place, the applicants were not the owners or the buildings did not even exist. The main perpetrator of this fraud was a practising tax consultant, who arranged the awarding of bonuses for 72 other individuals who were aware of the abuse.
Investigations into the OCG were initiated in 2021 by the Public Prosecutor’s Offices of Naples and Lecce in Italy, involving their counterparts in Latvia and Lithuania in 2022 via Eurojust.
In 2022, the financial and judicial authorities in Lithuania already closed down the electronic payment institution. Its banking licence was revoked and bankruptcy procedures were started for non-compliance with money laundering prevention regulations. A rapid reaction of Latvian and Lithuanian authorities to reports on suspicious transactions led to the identification and freezing of millions in funds, real estate properties and luxury vehicles, which now can be confiscated.
During the same year, Eurojust supported the setting up and funding of a joint investigation team between all national authorities involved. Eurojust also set up a coordination centre to support the simultaneous actions in the three countries.
Furthermore, Eurojust organised eight coordination meetings to prepare for the simultaneous actions of the Italian, Latvian and Lithuanian authorities. These preparations also prevented potential conflicts of jurisdiction. Eurojust has also already facilitated the restitution to Italy of over EUR 3 million of the illegally obtained public funds, which have been frozen by the Lithuanian authorities.
Europol has been supporting the case since January 2022, working closely with the national investigators to uncover the magnitude and complexity of the activities carried out by the OCG. During the action day, two Europol experts were deployed to Latvia to support the authorities with their investigative measures. A third Europol specialist was deployed to the coordination centre at Eurojust, with an analyst on hand at Europol’s headquarters to handle the contributions shared via Europol’s secure communication channels.
The operations against the OCG are the result of long-term intensive cooperation across Europe of the three countries involved. Eurojust Vice-President and National Member for Lithuania, Ms Margarita Šniutytė–Daugėlienė, acting National Member for Italy, Mr Aldo Ingangi, and National Member for Latvia, Ms Dagmāra Skudra, jointly stated: ‘This collaboration really shows the importance of a well-coordinated and prepared approach across Europe. It is a clear example of the role Eurojust plays in transnational judicial cooperation and shows criminal networks, such as the one we tackled, that we know no borders either. We will continue to work closely together to get justice done and take on fraud involving public funds.’
The actions in the three countries were carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:
· Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Offices of Naples and Lecce; Guardia di Finanza of Naples and Lecce
· Latvia: Prosecutor General’s Office, Rīga Judicial Region Prosecution Office; 1st Unit of the Economic Crime Enforcement Department of the Central Criminal Police Department of the State Police
· Lithuania: Vilnius Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office; Vilnius County Police Headquarters
