International training program in the field of combating CBRN crimes

The development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in investigating, prosecuting, judging and combating chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) security cases of the relevant authorities in the Republic of Moldova was the aim of two training sessions. The activities - Table Top Exercise and a workshop - took place, between November 5-8, 2024, at the National Institute of Justice, as part of the pilot project "Strengthening the capacities of the Republic of Moldova to investigate, prosecute and judge CBRN cases".

The target group of the training delivered by national and international experts was made up of prosecutors, judges and representatives of several related institutions: the General Inspectorate of the Police, the General Inspectorate of the Border Police, the Information and Security Service, the Customs Service, the National Agency for the Regulation of Nuclear and Radiological Activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health, etc.

The event was opened by Adrian Cerbu, Acting Director of the National Institute of Justice, Ion Munteanu, Prosecutor General of the Republic of Moldova, Dumitru Obada, President of the Superior Council of Prosecutors, Sophie Dagand, member of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, and Talgat Toleubayev, regional coordinator for Southeast and Eastern Europe of the CBRN Program.

During the training, participants simulated practical scenarios of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents, which were followed by analysis and discussion sessions. Two guidelines were also presented that provide an overview of current and emerging CBRN security challenges, as well as recommendations to support the successful prosecution and trial of such cases.

The topics addressed during the workshop focused on the national regulations regarding the criminalization of CBRN crimes, the difficulties encountered in investigating these cases and the implementation of the international legal framework of several reference conventions.

The pilot project "Strengthening the capacities of the Republic of Moldova to investigate, prosecute and judge CBRN cases" is financed by the European Commission within the framework of the European Union Initiative on CBRN Centers of Excellence and implemented by the United Nations Interregional Institute for Crime and Justice Research (UNICRI).