The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the Public Prosecution Office of Egypt (represented by Judicial Inspection department, Training and Capacity Building office) have strengthened their cooperation through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing research, technical cooperation and capacity-building in the fields of crime prevention and criminal justice.
Signed in Cairo, the agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to support the development of joint initiatives focused on enhancing investigative and prosecutorial capacities, with particular attention to transnational crime, intellectual property (IP) crime and related criminal activities. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing increasingly complex and interconnected criminal threats through knowledge exchange, technical expertise and international cooperation.
A New Partnership for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
The cooperation was formally launched through a three-day workshop entitled “Exchange of Expertise and Best Practices in Investigation Mechanisms to Combat Intellectual Property Crimes and Related Activities”, jointly organized by UNICRI and the Public Prosecution Office of Egypt.
Bringing together prosecutors, investigators and international experts, the workshop served as the first operational activity under the new cooperation framework. It provided a platform to exchange expertise, discuss emerging trends and strengthen capacities to investigate and prosecute intellectual property crimes and related offences.
Why Intellectual Property Crime Matters
In his opening remarks, Leif Villadsen, Acting Director of UNICRI, highlighted the growing role of intellectual property crime within the evolving business models of organized criminal groups.
“Intellectual property crime is no longer a peripheral issue – it is central to the business model of modern organized crime,” he noted.
Today, activities such as counterfeiting and digital piracy generate substantial illicit profits that can be used to expand criminal operations, launder proceeds and exploit technological developments for criminal purposes. As these crimes become increasingly interconnected with other forms of transnational criminality, effective responses require specialized expertise, strong investigative capacities and close cooperation among criminal justice actors.”
Harnessing Technology for More Effective Investigations
Reflecting these challenges, the workshop explored a wide range of topics covering both physical and digital forms of intellectual property crime.
Sessions examined international and national legal frameworks, investigation mechanisms for copyright violations in the digital environment, cyber-investigation techniques, the preservation of digital evidence and financial investigations linked to money laundering and asset tracing. Participants also discussed emerging issues related to digital broadcasting violations, online platforms and digital currencies.
The programme combined strategic discussions with practical case studies and operational perspectives. Additional sessions focused on investigations involving product counterfeiting, food fraud and offences affecting public health and safety, highlighting the diverse ways in which intellectual property crime can impact economies, institutions and communities.
Throughout the workshop, particular attention was devoted to the role of technology in shaping both criminal activities and investigative responses. While technological innovation provides new opportunities for criminal actors to operate across borders, it also offers prosecutors and investigators increasingly sophisticated tools to detect, investigate and disrupt illicit activities.
The workshop featured contributions from prosecutors, investigators and international experts from UNICRI and the Public Prosecution Office of Egypt, including:
Counsellor Mr. Mohammed Harhash
Counsellor Mr. Abdelrahman Habib, Public Prosecution Office of Egypt
Counsellor Dr. Ahmed Saafan, Public Prosecution Office of Egypt
Counsellor Dr. Gamal Dawoud, Public Prosecution Office of Egypt
Mr. Vasileios Katos, International Expert, UNICRI
Mr. Michael Lund, International Expert, UNICRI
Counsellor Mr. Mohamed El-Deyasti, Public Prosecution Office of Egypt
Counsellor Mr. Mohamed El-Maadawy, Public Prosecution Office of Egypt
Counsellor Mr. Mohamed El-Sakhi, Public Prosecution Office of Egypt
Counsellor Dr. Mohamed Hossam, Public Prosecution Office of Egypt
Counsellor Mr. Mohamed Magid, Public Prosecution Office of Egypt
Mr. Marco Musumeci, Programme Officer, UNICRI
Mr. Marwan Eldabaa, Public Prosecution Office of Egypt
Mr. Jan Ostergaard, International Expert, UNICRI
Mr. Kenneth Wright, International Expert, UNICRI
Mr. John Zacharia, International Expert, UNICRI
Advancing Cooperation and Capacity-Building
The workshop marked an important milestone in the partnership between UNICRI and the Public Prosecution Office of Egypt and laid the foundation for future cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
In an increasingly complex criminal environment, effective responses require not only stronger tools and expertise, but also a shared commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats.
