Eurojust supports Operation Top Secret spy case: successful Portuguese–Italian cross-border cooperation
This past weekend, two arrests and seizure of evidence took place in Rome, with the close cooperation of Portuguese and Italian authorities. The case related to a Portuguese national and a Russian national suspected of being paid to transfer confidential information to a foreign intelligence service.
This action was part of a case investigated by the Portuguese Central Criminal Investigation and Penal Action Department (DCIAP) responsible for investigating the crimes of espionage, violation of state secrecy, corruption and money laundering. For this purpose, two European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) and a rogatory letter were issued. In addition to the two arrests and the seizure of evidence, house searches were carried out in Portugal.
The Portuguese and Italian judicial authorities have emphasized the crucial role played by Eurojust in ensuring the speed and accuracy of legal proceedings and admissibility of evidence in court.
The two suspects were arrested and put in custody following the execution of the two EAWs and brought before the competent Italian judicial authorities.
In these investigations, which by their nature are secret, the prosecution is assisted by the Portuguese National Unit for Combating Terrorism of the Judicial Police, whose researchers went to Italy to assist in compliance with the rogatory letter issued by DCIAP.
The Portuguese and Italian National Members of Eurojust remarked:
Espionage cases are relatively rare, and require unique solutions. Eurojust’s Portuguese and Italian National Desks played a vital role in the successful outcome of this case. Working seamlessly together with the national authorities, two EAWs were rapidly executed, and legal proceedings and the collection of admissible evidence were assured.
Pictured H.E. Gabriel Aguilera Peralta, Ambassador of Guatemala.
By Viviana Knorr.
On 17 May, the Embassy of Guatemala and the Hispanic Association of The Hague organised a showing of the Guatemalan film Donde nace el sol “Where the sun rises”, Platinum Nominated for Iberoamerican Film Awards 2014 and one of Oscars 2015 best foreign language film contenders in the Americas.
The President of the Spanish Association of The Hague Mrs Edith Bergansius introduced H. E. Gabriel Aguilera Peralta, Ambassador of Guatemala in The Hague. He presented the film produced by Casa Comal in Kqchi!e, a Maya’s language and 36 Maya film program students.
The audience was made up of a mixture of Dutch and international viewers who enjoy the acclaimed film by director Elias Jimenez (2013) over a beautiful story focusing on the indigenous Maya‘s beliefs and legends. “Where the Sun is Born” is surely a visually powerful film with a current message.
The film’s main character is young woman whose origin are Maya. She witnesses the invasion of her homeland immediately to set away and run to survive. Four stories are alluding critical historical moments over the course of the last half millennium. A nomadic existence is portrayed to show how live as a refugee has hardly changed across the centuries.
The main protagonist lives during the time of the conquest, so have to flee their lands to survive.
Throughout its history the sufferings of the Maya peoples are shown, but also their spiritual and cultural wealth, showing key aspects of the latter, as the close relationship with nature and respect for ancestors. Donde nace el sol, teaches how despite the Spanish invasion, the Maya worldview has endured in history.
The film was shot thanks to financial support from several institutions, including the Comal House and the Norwegian Embassy.
Some of the locations were Guatemala, Tikal, Yaxha, Zaculeu, Quirigua, Iximché, Los Cuchumatanes, Rio Dulce and Villa Florence in Antigua.
On the picture HRH Princess Léa of Belgium and H.E. Chris Hoornaert.Under the High Patronage of HRH Princess Léa of Belgium, CIDIC (Cercle International Diplomatique et Consulaire – Centre Européen de Diplomatie Economique) and DEA (Diplomatic, Economic and Academic) visited the Netherlands from 10 – 12 May 2016. This on the occasion of the Dutch Presidency of the EU Council.
CIDIC was founded in 2010; it has over 650 members and sympathisers. HRH Princess Léa of Belgium is the Honorary chairperson of CIDIC The Board of Directors is made up of: Baron Ernest Laminne de Bex, President; Mr Paul van der Vloet, vice president; Mr Christian Mouvet, Secretary General and Treasurer and Mr Frederic the Pryck, Chairman of the Executive Committee.
For additional Hester Dijsktra’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157668901179196Baron Ernest Laminne de Bex and Frederic the Pryck.
The CIDIC-DEA mission visit aimed at bringing together Dutch and Belgian entrepreneurs, businesses and universities, in order to deliver real diplomatic, economic and academic scope to the Dutch EU Presidency. After The Netherlands, there will be a CIDIC-DEA missions to Slovakia.In 2017, missions are envisaged to Malta and the United Kingdom.
While in the Netherlands, members of the mission participated in an extensive but very interesting 3 days program. On the first day, 10 May there has been a session at The Hague Security Delta campus.
The program featured:
Innovation Quarter, an opening session graced by the presence of HRH Princess Léa of Belgium. Many speeches and presentations followed.
H.E. Mr Chris Hoornaert, Belgium’s Ambassador in The Netherlands, Mr Pascal Goergen of FEDRA (Federation of European Regional Actors), Mrs Kris Dejonckheere, and General Secretary of UNICA (European Capitals’ universities network).
Province of South Holland, Jean-Christophe Spapens gave a brief presentation.
Innovation Quarter of the session, Ms Lissa Culbertson Boxy. Innovation Quarter is the regional economic development agency for the South Holland province in the Netherlands. The mission of Innovation Quarter is to strengthen the regional economy by supporting and stimulating the innovation potential of the area. In close cooperation with all the key corporations, educational and research institutions – like the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Delft University of Technology and Leiden University – and government organisations, Innovation Quarter supports technological developments, encourages entrepreneurship and invests in startup companies.
Hague Security Delta Mr Mark Ruijsendaal. The Hague Security Delta is the largest security cluster in Europe. THSD forms partnerships and creates knowledge bridges with the main global security clusters in the USA, Canada, Singapore and South Africa. Besides, THSD has strong ties with the central European security regions and Brussels, making the Netherlands Europe.
The THSD Campus is the national innovation centre of the Dutch security cluster, with living labs, education and training facilities, innovation rooms and meeting rooms. Businesses, governments and knowledge institutions from across the country collaborate to harvest knowledge at the campus and develop products and services that contribute to a safer and more secure world.
The HSD Campus is serving as an inspiring place to meet entrepreneurs, students and professionals in the security cluster. It is home to the educational programs of the new Cyber Security Academy (CSA) and European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) and it is the place where SME Connect will provide security entrepreneurs with advice.
CIDIC: Baron de Liminne de Bex, President CIDIC, Christian J. Mouvet, Secretary General, Frédéric de Pryck, Chairman Steering Committee. All shed light on the Circle and the purpose of the visit.
Presentations by the companies:
GFCE Global Forum on Cyber Expertise. “GFCE is an international platform organisation for countries, international organisations and private companies to exchange best practices and expertise on cyber capacity building”, says David van Duren, Head of the GFCE office. “The aim is to identify successful policies, practices and ideas and multiply these on a global level. GFCE members develop practical initiatives to strengthen cyber security, fight cybercrime, protect online data and support e-governance.”
The speaker from Tracks Inspector was Marco de Moulin (Product Director) “Tracks Inspector is an innovative solution that resulted from many years of experience in digital forensics investigations in close collaboration with law enforcement. The mission is to simplify digital forensics for investigators and to develop further and deliver the Tracks Inspector solution to law enforcement and corporate customers through our channel partners worldwide. Our solution can extract valuable information from mobile devices and computers without having to wait for the digital experts in the forensic lab, resulting in quicker and more efficient prosecutions.”
City of The Hague, Mr Karim Adarghal talked about the Robot named Sam. There was also a speaker from FONDA.
A lunch and get-together concluded the session at campus of The Hague Security Delta
The CIDIC delegation went on to Delft (incubator project) and Leiden to visit the Bioscience Park. The day concluded with a reception and dinner buffet at the residence of H.E. Mr Chris Hoornaert, Ambassador of Belgium.
On the picture H.E. Ittiporn Boonpracong, Ambasador of Thailand, H.E. Adia Sakiqi, Albassador of Albania and Mr Ribiao Chen, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of china.By Roy Lie A Tjam
For the second year in a row, the Royal Thai Embassy The Hague, in conjunction with the Thai Tourism Authority, the Department of International Trade Promotion-Ministry of Commerce, Thailand organized an exclusive Cooking Demonstration. It took place at the residence of the Thai Ambassador, H.E. Ittiporn Boonpracong, in Wassenaar on May 23rd 2016.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link:https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157666432595524Dr Surachai Jewcharoensakul.
The demonstration was given by Dr Surachai Jewcharoensakul. He is in the Netherlands for a series of demonstrations to be held in Delft, Wassenaar and Amsterdam. He performed in Delft at the first ever Diplomat Gastronomic Festival in the Netherlands on 21 May2016.
As for the cooking demo at the residence of the Ambassador, it has been extremely successful, Dr Jewcharoensakul treated the guests to a range of traditional Thai dishes such as: Thai spicy salad, Massaman curry beef and vegetarian Pad –Thai.
H.E. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan and H.E. Dato Ahmad Nazri Yusof Ambassador of Malaysia.
The demo was followed by a buffet consisting of: green curry (fish) chicken with cashew nuts, stir fried tofu with basil leaves and Thai jasmine rice. Desserts included sticky rice with Thai custard and Tamarind tart. Guests left the Thai hospitality event smiling.
Pictured H.E. Carlos Herrera, Ambassador of Peru.By Roy Lie A Tjam.
On the 17th May 2016, the FMO, the ISS and the Embassy of Peru held a seminar with the title “What do the Poor need from Financial Inclusion?” at the auditorium of the FMO. This was followed by a second question, asking whether there are lessons to be learned from the Peruvian experience. During the seminar a panel of experts discussed the Peruvian experience but also focuses on the challenges that lie ahead.
Peru has been identified by the Economist Intelligence Unit as the world’s most conducive environments for financial inclusion. In Peru, financial inclusion has had a positive impact on poverty alleviation, the percentage of people living below the poverty line has dropped drastically in the last decade from 45% to 26%, whilst extreme poverty has gone from 14% to 5% in the same period. Real income in rural areas has also increased by 60% since 2004, whereas in urban areas it went up by only 20%.
Mr Nano Kleiterp CEO at FMO opened the seminar. He welcomed the Ambassadors and many other guests including Ms Inge Hutter, Rector of the International Institute of Social Studies(ISS), Ms Carolina Trivelli, former Minister of Development and Social Inclusion of Peru and current General Manager of Pagos Digitales Peruanos.
The first speaker was H.E. Mr Carlos Herrera, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to the Netherlands. Ambassador Herrera read a letter from HM Queen Maxima in which the queen lauded the key role Peru played in achieving financial inclusion. Her Majesty referred to the role Peru also played in prompting the UN General Assembly to pass the first resolution on financial inclusion.
H.E. Sergio Ugalde Godinez Ambassador of Costa Rica and the Ambassador of Cuba H.E. Fermin Quinonez Sanchez.
Credit goes to the outstanding efforts of Ambassador Gustavo Meza-Cuadra Velasquez. Furthermore, Her Majesty mentioned Peru’s commitment to the financial inclusion agenda “Modelo Peru” which solidifies Peru’s status as a role model to for other countries. The rest of the world is following Peru’s initiative with great interest, H.M.
Queen Maxima further added that she is particularly looking forward to celebrating more achievements in the years to come. Ambassador Herrera expressed his gratitude to all those that have contributed to making the seminar a success especially the ones who came from abroad to attend the seminar.
Carolina Trivelli, General Manager of Pagos Digitales Peruanos.
The next speaker was Ms Carolina Trivelli, she highlighted the enormous progress made by Peru in financial inclusion from the public sector point of view as well as from the private sector point of view. Ms Trivelli also dwelled on the national strategy and the launching of the electronic wallet or E-wallet.
Mr. Nanno Kleiterp in his address stressed the participation of the Dutch Development Bank (FMO) in Peru, with a budget of over 250 million Euros, to the promotion a more inclusive development in Peru. Ms Inge Hutter, rector of the ISS, closed the very informative and successful seminar.
The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Ahmet Üzümcü, shared the “stark reality that non-state actors are likely developing – and using – chemical weapons” during his keynote speech at the 19th International Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference held in London today. He also outlined OPCW initiatives to tackle this threat including the creation of Rapid Response Assistance Teams ready to deploy at short notice to any of the 192 Member States of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) upon their request.The Director-General described the endeavour to counter chemical weapons threats as follows:“A priority for the Chemical Weapons Convention is to complete the elimination of chemical weapon stockpiles. We are now moving into the final phase of this work, with over 92% of the world’s declared stockpiles now destroyed, including in the Syrian Arab Republic, although there are some issues still being addressed relating to the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons programme. The focus of international efforts will then move to preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons. The OPCW is already planning for this, but we still have a number of important challenges to overcome before we can reach this stage.”During his visit to London, the Director-General also met with Minister Tobias Ellwood, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Director-General briefed the Minister on progress on Syria as well as other OPCW activities. The Minister expressed the strong support of the UK for the work of OPCW.Organised by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, which is part of the UK Ministry of Defence, the International Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference brings together an international and diverse group of specialists from the military, scientific and chemical industry fields to discuss efforts to eliminate chemical weapons. Ambassador Üzümcü said, “I welcome the important role that the Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference continues to play in supporting international efforts to destroy chemical weapons, and contributing to our shared goal of a world free of chemical weapon threats.”For more details:Director-General’s speech at the International Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference
By Antonia Barthel.On the 20th of May, Her Excellency Mrs. Odette Melono, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon, hosted a celebratory reception at the Marriott Hotel in The Hague to honor her country’s National Day.H.E. Fatou Bensouda, International Criminal Court Prosecutor.The 20th of May was chosen by the Government as the National Day in order to commemorate the unification of the country in 1972. However, Cameroon achieved independence on January 1st, 1960 alongside other African countries.For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157668007635310H.E. Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio and H. E. Mrs. Odette Melono.The room was filled with guests who came to congratulate Ambassador Melono. A slideshow with pictures was shown in the background, giving guests the opportunity to see the beautiful nature and cities of Cameroon. Additionally, the atmosphere was celebratory and women in dresses with traditional African patterns added to the color of the day. Guests were able to enjoy a lavish buffet with a variety of national dishes including fish, beans and vegetables. Furthermore, a delicious cake in the shape of Cameroon was presented as desert for the guests. There were many distinguished guests, including several Ambassadors and diplomats, members of the Dutch business community and representatives of the Dutch administrations, international organizations and courts.The day was a great success and was enjoyed by all present.
Pictured H.E. Simona Frankel Ambassador of Israel to Belgium and Luxembourg.Israeli Independence is fêted annually on 5 Iyar according to the Hebrew calendar, the corresponding Gregorian date this year was 12 May 2016. It entails the State of Israel’s establishment, or more precisely the date when its independence was proclaimed by Israeli first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion after publicly reading the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 5 Iyar 5708/14 May 1948. H.E. David Walzer, Ambassador of Israel to the EU.In Brussels a concert and subsequent reception were jointly hosted by the missions of Israel to Belgium and Luxembourg HE Ambassador Simona Frankel and to the European Union HE Ambassador David Walzer at Flagey Cultural Centre located in the square bearing the same name. Both ambassadors addressed an auditorium full of fellow ambassadors, including US ambassador to Belgium Denise Campbell Bauer, Rwanda’s Olivier Jean-Patrick Nduhungirehe, Philippines’ Victoria Bataclan or Kosovo’s Mimoza Ahmetaj, a plethora of Israeli business people as well as MEPs and members of the EEAS. Jerusalem Quartet at Flagey.After the solemn speeches, an hour-long concert was performed by the world renowned “Jerusalem Quartet” consisting of members Alexander Pavlovsky (first violin), Sergei Bresler (second violin), Ori Kam (viola), and Kyril Zlotnikov (cello). They delighted their audience by playing Beethoven as well as Bartók. After the concert the Israeli missions offered a reception in the rooms overlooking the Flagey lake. For more information:Embassy of Israel to Belgium and Luxembourg (HE Ambassador Simona Frankel): http://embassies.gov.il/language/Pages/default.aspxMission of Israel to the EU (HE Ambassador David Walzer): http://embassies.gov.il/eu/Pages/default.aspxJerusalem Quartet: www.jerusalem-quartet.com——————–All pictures by IsraelinEurope (https://www.facebook.com/IsraelinEurope/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1133022693408364)
The film’s main character is young woman whose origin are Maya. She witnesses the invasion of her homeland immediately to set away and run to survive. Four stories are alluding critical historical moments over the course of the last half millennium. A nomadic existence is portrayed to show how live as a refugee has hardly changed across the centuries.
The main protagonist lives during the time of the conquest, so have to flee their lands to survive.
Throughout its history the sufferings of the Maya peoples are shown, but also their spiritual and cultural wealth, showing key aspects of the latter, as the close relationship with nature and respect for ancestors. Donde nace el sol, teaches how despite the Spanish invasion, the Maya worldview has endured in history.
The film was shot thanks to financial support from several institutions, including the Comal House and the Norwegian Embassy.
Some of the locations were Guatemala, Tikal, Yaxha, Zaculeu, Quirigua, Iximché, Los Cuchumatanes, Rio Dulce and Villa Florence in Antigua. 
Hague Security Delta Mr Mark Ruijsendaal. The Hague Security Delta is the largest security cluster in Europe. THSD forms partnerships and creates knowledge bridges with the main global security clusters in the USA, Canada, Singapore and South Africa. Besides, THSD has strong ties with the central European security regions and Brussels, making the Netherlands Europe.
The THSD Campus is the national innovation centre of the Dutch security cluster, with living labs, education and training facilities, innovation rooms and meeting rooms. Businesses, governments and knowledge institutions from across the country collaborate to harvest knowledge at the campus and develop products and services that contribute to a safer and more secure world.
The HSD Campus is serving as an inspiring place to meet entrepreneurs, students and professionals in the security cluster. It is home to the educational programs of the new Cyber Security Academy (CSA) and European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS) and it is the place where SME Connect will provide security entrepreneurs with advice.
CIDIC: Baron de Liminne de Bex, President CIDIC, Christian J. Mouvet, Secretary General, Frédéric de Pryck, Chairman Steering Committee. All shed light on the Circle and the purpose of the visit.
Presentations by the companies:
GFCE Global Forum on Cyber Expertise. “GFCE is an international platform organisation for countries, international organisations and private companies to exchange best practices and expertise on cyber capacity building”, says David van Duren, Head of the GFCE office. “The aim is to identify successful policies, practices and ideas and multiply these on a global level. GFCE members develop practical initiatives to strengthen cyber security, fight cybercrime, protect online data and support e-governance.”
The speaker from Tracks Inspector was Marco de Moulin (Product Director) “Tracks Inspector is an innovative solution that resulted from many years of experience in digital forensics investigations in close collaboration with law enforcement. The mission is to simplify digital forensics for investigators and to develop further and deliver the Tracks Inspector solution to law enforcement and corporate customers through our channel partners worldwide. Our solution can extract valuable information from mobile devices and computers without having to wait for the digital experts in the forensic lab, resulting in quicker and more efficient prosecutions.”
City of The Hague, Mr Karim Adarghal talked about the Robot named Sam. There was also a speaker from FONDA.
A lunch and get-together concluded the session at campus of The Hague Security Delta
The CIDIC delegation went on to Delft (incubator project) and Leiden to visit the Bioscience Park. The day concluded with a reception and dinner buffet at the residence of H.E. Mr Chris Hoornaert, Ambassador of Belgium.
Mr Nano Kleiterp CEO at FMO opened the seminar. He welcomed the Ambassadors and many other guests including Ms Inge Hutter, Rector of the International Institute of Social Studies(ISS), Ms Carolina Trivelli, former Minister of Development and Social Inclusion of Peru and current General Manager of Pagos Digitales Peruanos.
The first speaker was H.E. Mr Carlos Herrera, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to the Netherlands. Ambassador Herrera read a letter from HM Queen Maxima in which the queen lauded the key role Peru played in achieving financial inclusion. Her Majesty referred to the role Peru also played in prompting the UN General Assembly to pass the first resolution on financial inclusion.
There were many distinguished guests, including several Ambassadors and diplomats, members of the Dutch business community and representatives of the Dutch administrations, international organizations and courts.
The day was a great success and was enjoyed by all present.
