Project Update
OSCE regional table-top exercise strengthens cross-border cybercrime investigations in Central Asia
- Issued on:
- Issued by:
- Transnational Threats Department
- Fields of work:
- Policing
The OSCE Transnational Threats Department held a regional table-top exercise from 20 to 22 October in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event brought together 25 representatives of law enforcement and criminal justice authorities from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to enhance co-operation on investigating cybercrimes and other crimes involving electronic evidence across Central Asia.
The first two days were dedicated to a scenario-based exercise, in which participants worked in national teams to investigate a fictional cross-border criminal case involving online investment fraud. A workshop on the third day focused on presenting international good practices regarding criminal procedural legislation and cross-border collaboration on electronic evidence, as well as identifying practical measures to strengthen regional co-operation on these matters in Central Asia.
“By simulating a real-life situation, scenario-based exercises offer an effective way not only to learn new knowledge and skills, but also to identify gaps in existing processes and procedures. By mirroring a type of crime and criminal modus operandi widely found in Central Asia, this type of event builds capacity to effectively address criminal threats across the region,” said Martha Stickings, Deputy Head of Strategic Police Matters Unit and Adviser on Cybercrime at the OSCE Transnational Threats Department.
“I haven’t had direct experience with this format before. I find it very effective, especially for law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners who often learn best from practical hands-on examples and cases. I will definitely incorporate this method into my classes and courses,” said one of the participants, a former judge and now a lecturer at the Academy of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The event was organized under the second phase of the OSCE’s regional capacity-building project on combating cybercrime in Central Asia, which is funded by Germany, Norway and the United States.