Project Update
UNODC and OSCE foster regional co-operation on requesting electronic evidence in Central Asia
- Issued on:
- Issued by:
- Transnational Threats Department
- Fields of work:
- Countering terrorism
On 14 and 15 October 2026, 25 criminal justice practitioners from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Astana, Kazakhstan, to strengthen regional co-operation and exchange practical experience in requesting electronic evidence from service providers abroad and its subsequent use in terrorism-related court proceedings.
Electronic evidence has become increasingly important for criminal investigations, including terrorism-related cases, as relevant information is often held by service providers located outside the jurisdiction where an investigation takes place. Obtaining such evidence in a timely, lawful and effective manner may therefore require close co-operation among national authorities, service providers and international partners.
The regional peer-to-peer workshop, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, brought together practitioners directly involved in requesting, processing and using electronic evidence.
Participants discussed practical challenges, which they encounter in their respective national contexts, including the admissibility, integrity and presentation of electronic evidence in court. They also shared experiences and good practices, and identified opportunities to improve procedures and strengthen regional co-operation.
The workshop built on several years of OSCE engagement with Central Asian participating States on electronic evidence, including national assessments, follow-up activities, regional exchanges and practitioner-level capacity-building under Project E-VIDENCE, which has been expanded under Project CLEAR. These efforts have supported participating States in reviewing their legal frameworks, strengthening institutional procedures and enhancing their capacity to request electronic evidence from service providers abroad.
The workshop forms part of the OSCE’s broader efforts to assist participating States in preventing and countering the use of the internet for terrorist purposes while ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law. It was implemented under Project CLEAR, which supports participating States in strengthening prevention efforts, preparedness for evolving technologies and capacities related to electronic evidence.
Project CLEAR is funded by Germany, Finland, Norway and the United States.