Author: mohammed

LARMO’s Director General meets Maltese Foreign Minister

The Libyan Assets Recovery and Management Office (LARMO) Director General, Mr. Mohamed Mensli, held a productive meeting with the esteemed Maltese Foreign Minister, Mr. Ian Borg, who was accompanied by the Maltese Ambassador to Libya, Mr. Charles Saliba, and the chair or sanctions monitoring board Neville Aquilina.

The meeting, took place on Tuesday July 10, 2023, in Tripoli and focused on strengthening cooperation in the field of asset recovery and the ongoing efforts to repatriate funds in Malta.

During the meeting, Mr. Mensli provided an overview of LARMO’s comprehensive work in asset recovery, highlighting the significant progress made in recent years. The parties engaged in productive discussions regarding the recovery efforts pertaining to assets held in Malta and the steps taken towards securing the restitution of these funds.

Mr. Borg, the Maltese Foreign Minister, expressed his firm commitment to supporting LARMO’s efforts in recovering and managing Libyan assets. The minister recognized the importance of collaboration between the two nations and affirmed Malta’s dedication to fostering a strong partnership with LARMO.

LARMO maintains a close working relationship with the Maltese Asset Recovery Bureau, facilitating the exchange of information, expertise, and resources. This collaboration plays a vital role in advancing the recovery and management of assets, thereby contributing to the economic development and stability of Libya.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue enhancing bilateral cooperation and strengthening the joint efforts in asset recovery. LARMO expresses its gratitude to Mr. Borg and Mr. Saliba for their visit, which further solidified the strong ties between the Libyan and Maltese authorities in addressing this crucial matter.

The Director General of the Libyan Asset Recovery and Management Office (LARMO), Mr. Mohamed Ramadan Mensli welcomed Ms. Claudio Gazzini from Crisis Group for a meeting in Tripoli on Sunday 25, June, 2022.

Ms. Gazzini previously served as a policy advisor to the Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and now works now as a senior analyst for the International Crisis Group. The group is a non-profit non-governmental organisation with a mission to prevent wars and shape policies that promote peace. Ms. Delaney Simon, a senior analyst with the Crisis Group, accompanied her in the meeting.

During the meeting, the attendees discussed LARMO’s efforts to recover Libyan assets and how funds raised can contribute to the rebuilding of Libya and develop social and commercial projects that will contribute to peace and prosperity in the country.

The Director General of the Libyan Asset Recovery and Management Office (LARMO), Mr. Mohamed Ramadan Mensli, has called for increased cooperation and the establishment of a network among asset recovery and management offices in the MENA region. The purpose of this network would be to prosecute criminals and utilise recovered assets for the benefit of the people.
Mr. Mensli made these remarks on Tuesday, 6th June, during the 2nd Regional Conference on Judicial Cooperation in the MENA region held in Rabat, Morocco. The conference was organised by the Moroccan Ministry of Justice in partnership with the EU Global Facility on Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, as well as the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights. Titled “Strengthening Judicial Cooperation in the MENA Region: Integrated Approaches to the Investigation and Prosecution of Money Laundering,” the conference aimed to foster collaboration and enhance efforts in combating financial crimes.
As the first and only asset recovery and management office in the MENA region, LARMO holds a significant role. It is worth mentioning that the CARIN asset recovery network has invited LARMO to form and lead a North African sub-group of the global organisation, which will focus on regional asset recovery operations to create efficiencies.
Mr. Mensli delivered a speech during a session entitled “Recovery and Management of Proceeds of Crime: Key Concepts, Role of Asset Recovery Agencies, and Social Reuse of Confiscated Assets.” He addressed a group of representatives from regional countries and international experts who expressed their admiration for the office’s accomplishments.
He stated, “Despite being a relatively young institution, LARMO has porven the importance of having specialised entities dedicated to asset recovery and management for the benefit of the people and the state.” He emphasized the significance of utilizing looted assets for human development and their role in national reconciliation, as well as creating a prosperous future for Libya in economic and social terms, aligning with other countries in the region.
Mr. Mensli further emphasized, “I would like to stress the importance of establishing specialised offices, and I hope that we can establish a network among these offices that will ultimately benefit our people while fostering stability and prosperity within our region and the world.”
In conclusion, Mr. Mensli affirmed that LARMO is prepared to offer support and advice to any party engaged in asset recovery work within the region.

Within the framework of the Libyan Asset Recovery and Management Office (LARMO)’s strategic missions; and as part of its continuous efforts to coordinate with all local partners, Director General Mohamed Ramadan Mensli has participated in the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism meeting which was held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the Central Bank of Libya (CBL)’s headquarters in the presence of the committee members and relevant authorities.

LARMO is member of some of the most important international organizations in the field of money laundering such as the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) and the CARIN Network, which has financial and judicial information offices in more than 71 countries around the world. In addition, LARMO has recently established an anti-money laundering unit.

The committee reviewed reports and findings submitted by members and discussed ways and mechanisms for joint coordination among local partners to combat corruption and money laundering and to take advantage of LARMO’s membership in these networks given their effective role in tracking and combating money laundering.

Libyan Asset Recovery and Management Office (LARMO)’s DG Mr. Mohamed Ramadan Mensli received a delegation from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on May 10, 2023.

During the meeting, the two parties discussed the joint cooperation in the recovery of looted Libyan assets abroad. Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Regional Representative in the Middle East and North Africa, confirmed full support for LARMO and expressed full readiness to make further efforts to help the office by by developing the capabilities of the staff and strengthening communication with other organizations and countries for the benefit of all Libyan people.

LARMO attends a study mission on Modern Modalities to Seize and Confiscate Illicitly Acquired Assets in Dublin

Officials from the Libyan Asset Recovery and Management Office (LARMO) and the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) Financial Intelligence Unit attended a study mission in Dublin on Modern Modalities to Seize and Confiscate Illicitly Acquired Assets, organised by United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Unit (UNICRI) on April 18/19.  UNICRI has supported LARMO since its beginnings in 2017.

Delegates heard from senior officials from the Republic of Ireland’s Criminal Asset Bureau (CAB) and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) about relevant Irish and British legislation and their efforts to recover assets through both criminal and civil measures and their techniques.

CAB representatives spoke about targeting and seizing houses, cars and luxury items from criminals, where wealth cannot be explained on a “balance of probabilities”. Assets are transferred to an Asset Management Office, or sold at auction, and the money is used to fund community projects through Ireland’s Community Safety Investment Fund as well as to fund more investigation activities by CAB.

A senior British NCA official explained their wide enforcement powers for freezing and seizing stolen wealth, including from government officials up to Heads of State level, elected politicians, ambassadors, judges and heads of state-owned enterprises. The NCA’s extensive powers of freezing and seizure are designed to prevent assets being removed yet again by high-profile targets.

LARMO is investigating several high-value Libyan asset recovery files around the world for their return to the Libyan people.

During a visit to New York City on April 20, 2023, the Libyan Asset Recovery and Management Office (LARMO)’s Director General Mr. Mohamed Ramadan Mensli met with a number of international delegations to the United Nations at the organisation’s headquarters.

LARMO discussed Libyan assets with delegations from the USA, the UK, and Malta and made contact with the French delegation, The President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi, and other important members.

They were informed about LARMO’s strategy to repatriate those assets and how they can benefit the economy and the Libyan people. The delegations expressed their full support and willingness to work with LARMO to achieve its goals.

Mr. Mensli commented: “It is very important for us to work with the international community. We are very encouraged by the response and the willingness to support us in our mission.”