Friday 19 May 2023
The Bailiwick's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Economic and Financial Crime Bureau (EFCB) participated in a joint Terrorist Financing training event this week, coordinated by the Gibraltar Financial Intelligence Unit (GFIU) at the University of Gibraltar. Guernsey's FIU hosted a similar event in November 2019.
The course was arranged through the Quad Island FIU Forum, bringing together economic and financial crime officers and FIU officers from Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man. Participants had the opportunity to learn about case studies, and the most recent typologies and trends employed by international and domestic terrorist organisations. The three-day course was conducted by subject matter experts from the United Kingdom, ensuring the delivery of comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge in this field.
The Quad Island FIU Forum facilitates the sharing of knowledge and experience and works collaboratively to achieve the four jurisdictions' aims and objectives. It engaged directly with the National Terrorist Financing Investigation Unit (NTFIU) to look at specialist training opportunities with the assistance of the National Crime Agency, HM Treasury and the UK Charity Commission.
During her opening address, Minister for Justice, Samantha Sacramento MP, emphasised the vital role we all play in detecting and reporting suspicious transactions, as well as fostering international cooperation. She highlighted the significance of this training in enabling each of the jurisdictions to effectively target the core of individuals and groups responsible for carrying out these heinous acts of violence.
The Head of the FIU, Adrian Hale, who currently chairs the Quad Island Terrorist Financing Forum said:
"Specialist training such as this event hosted by my colleagues in Gibraltar is a crucial part of our ability to continue to identify and detect the exploitation of international finance centers by terrorists or terrorist organisations. The course was delivered by UK experts who specialise in international crime and the two officers who attended from our FIU have strengthened their knowledge and experience in this area. It also demonstrates the continued collaborative working between the Quad Island FIUs of Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey."
