27/11/2023
The EU-funded CT-Just project has carried out key actions to strengthen Iraq's capabilities in the management of digital evidence in the chain of custody from a criminal analysis perspective
The Spanish magistrate José María Fernández Villalobos, director of the project, next to the Spanish expert, National Police Commissioner Esperanza Jalkh Guerrero
An activity on the management of digital evidence in the chain of custody from a criminal analysis perspective was carried out in Iraq as a result of a collaborative effort between the European Union, the CT-Just project and the Iraqi authorities. The European CT-Just project, led by the FIIAPP in consortium with Expertise France, which aims to increase the capacities of the authorities of various countries along the entire anti-terrorist criminal chain, has played a key role in strengthening Iraq’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
The main objective of this training has been to increase the effectiveness of Iraqi security forces in handling and analysing digital evidence to efficiently combat terrorism. The CT-Just project, in close cooperation with the European Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM), as well as international law enforcement and judicial experts, and in collaboration with the Iraqi authorities, has focused on the implementation of advanced practices in the management of digital evidence in the chain of custody, thus strengthening the capabilities of the Iraqi authorities in the field of Criminal Investigative Security and reinforcing their effectiveness in the fight against terrorism in the Middle East. This cooperation has been crucial to ensure that the procedures adopted are not only effective, but also fair and ethical, in line with international human rights and legal standards.
Participants in this activity, including officials and representatives from various agencies, recognised the relevance and impact of the content provided. The training provided covered essential aspects such as the preservation of digital evidence, storage requirements and the responsibilities of the expert report in the context of police investigation, directly supporting judicial efforts.
The results of the evaluation of the programme have been positively significant, demonstrating considerable impact in Iraq, reflecting continued interest in collaboration and future capacity building. With this activity, the EU, through the CT-Just project, has not only marked progress in the fight against terrorism in Iraq, but has also established a model for international cooperation to ensure a safer world.
The EU and the Iraqi authorities, committed to the fight against terrorism, plan to expand and deepen this collaboration with more training programmes in the future. With clear and defined objectives, through the project, which will continue to contribute to capacity building in the field of training in Iraq, setting a future line in international cooperation in the framework of counter-terrorism from a law enforcement and judicial perspective.
