The EU's crime agency Eurojust recorded a 13 per cent increase in the number of crime and terrorism cases it dealt with last year, despite difficult working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.
It handled more than 8,800 cases, froze criminal assets worth €1.9 billion ($2.25bn) and seized drugs worth €3bn.
The European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Co-operation assists nations with serious cross-border crimes and terrorism.
More than 2,200 people were arrested last year as the agency worked on 737 cases in France, 413 in the UK, 841 in Italy, 413 in Sweden and 119 in Ireland, among many others.
The President of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Ladislav Hamran, said the agency faced difficult working conditions because of the pandemic.
“In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic had us face the most significant and unpredictable challenges in decades,” he said.
“I am incredibly proud of the flexibility, resilience and determination that Eurojust has shown in the face of this crisis.
“Our operational support was never interrupted and our impressive results confirm that even under the most difficult circumstances, we are still able to make a real, tangible contribution towards a safer Europe.”
The agency reported a 16 per cent increase in terrorism cases last year and dealt with more than 90 requests for help in terrorism-related cases from EU member states.
Some of those involved the targeting of foreign terrorist fighters travelling to a conflict zone to join the ranks of a group or to undergo training.
Others focused on terrorist networks and cells involved in the recruitment, financing and facilitation of the travel or return of fighters.
In total, 164 cases were directly related to the pandemic, either regarding difficulties with the execution of European arrest warrants and European investigation orders because of border closures, or fraud related to coronavirus medical products, from the sale of masks to protective gels.
In one case, Eurojust froze the bank accounts of a criminal gang operating in France and Switzerland that had hacked the computer system of a hospital in the Czech Republic at the height of the pandemic.
It dealt with a number of major cases, from supporting the large-scale unravelling of EncroChat, a secret communications network used by criminals, to tackling human trafficking and drugs trade.
"I congratulate Eurojust for the determination it has shown in its mission and for stepping up its action in the midst of an unprecedented crisis," said European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders.
“I am aware that the latest months have put a strain on the functioning of the justice systems in the European Union. Justice will grow stronger after this crisis.
“Member states are increasing spending in the digitalisation of the justice systems and are joining forces to prevent cross-border crimes. Eurojust also plays a key role in this transition.”
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
