At today's session, the Council of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption discussed the activities of the Agency in connection with the conducted misdemeanor procedures and issued misdemeanor warrants.

Considering the recommendations of the European Commission regarding the issuing the sanctions that do not have a deterrent effect, Council once again pointed the need to change the legal provisions, extend the deadlines for initiating misdemeanor proceedings within the Agency's competence and harmonize the amount of misdemeanor sanctions with the severity of committed misdemeanors.

Members of the Agency's Council stressed the need to conduct educational activities, especially for newly appointed public officials, in order to raise awareness regarding the fulfillment of obligations prescribed by anti-corruption laws.

In addition, attention was drawn to the need to amend the Law on Financing of Political Entities and Election Campaigns, in order to provide for misdemeanor liability of groups of voters for violating legal obligations and restrictions.

Since the beginning of the Agency's work, the Section for initiating misdemeanor proceedings and issuing misdemeanor warrants has initiated a total of 3,357 misdemeanor proceedings. The total amount of fines imposed is € 599,019.

Of the total number of submitted requests for initiating misdemeanor proceedings, the Agency in 22 requests asked the court to confiscate the proceeds of the misdemeanor (in the area of ​​restrictions in the performance of public functions).

Based on the proposal for confiscation of property gain, in addition to imposing fines, the courts, by issuing first instance decisions, confiscated property gain in the total amount of € 44,237.