An 18-member delegation of judges and prosecutors led by Palestinian Judicial Institute Director Wesam Salayma is attending the International Training Program on Cybercrime and Combating Money Laundering, organized by the Justice Academy of Türkiye.

According to a statement by the Justice Academy of Türkiye, the Palestinian judges and prosecutors arrived in Türkiye to participate in the program, which is being hosted by the academy in cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and will continue through Sept. 26.

The program is being held under a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries on cooperation in the training of judges and prosecutors.

Speaking at the opening of the program, Justice Academy of Türkiye President Metin Yildirim highlighted the strong and historic ties between Türkiye and Palestine, saying cooperation in judicial training would further strengthen the exchange of knowledge and experience between the two countries’ judicial institutions.

Expressing his pleasure at hosting the Palestinian judges and prosecutors at the Justice Academy of Türkiye, Yildirim said the academy would continue its work in international judicial training and further develop cooperation with the judicial institutions of friendly countries.

He further addressed developments in Palestine and Gaza, expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, and emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation with Palestinian colleagues in judicial training.

Program began on Sept. 21

Beginning on Sept. 21, the program focuses on strengthening judicial training and experience exchanges as well as addressing current issues related to combating crimes that are becoming increasingly diverse and transnational as a result of technological developments.

The program, which also includes contributions from academics and members of the judiciary, will cover topics including crypto assets and criminal law, cyberbullying, crimes against personal data, the collection of electronic evidence, technological investigative measures, and artificial intelligence (AI) in cybercrime.

Training will also be provided on financial issues in cybercrime investigations, online betting, Court of Cassation practices concerning money laundering offenses, international judicial cooperation, and the recovery of proceeds from crimes.

The program also covers UN and Council of Europe regulations as well as rulings by the European Court of Human Rights, enabling participants to exchange knowledge and experience on international legal mechanisms for combating digital crime.

Memorandum to remain valid for 5 years

The memorandum between the judicial training institutions of Türkiye and Palestine provides for the organization of joint symposiums, conferences, workshops and training programs, exchanges of experts and academics, joint scientific research, preparation of training materials and publications, development of digital training platforms, reciprocal internship programs, and joint curriculum studies.

It will remain valid for five years from its signing and will be renewed for successive three-year periods unless either party notifies the other of its intention not to renew it.