Asset Recovery in the Face of Kleptocracy

Damiaan Goetstouwers

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This paper analyses how to best return of the assets corrupt government officials. It complements current literature and frameworks, which mainly look at the return of the assets of professional criminals. Through the analysis of eight case studies, it concludes that confiscating authorities should employ an ‘indirect’ method of return through bilateral agreements or trust funds. To ensure the most successful outcome of the process of asset return, the paper concludes with seven key recommendations to the European Union. The appendix provides an overview of definition and the most used abbreviations.

Abstract:

This paper analyses how to best return of the assets corrupt government officials. It complements current literature and frameworks, which mainly look at the return of the assets of professional criminals. Through the analysis of eight case studies, it concludes that confiscating authorities should employ an ‘indirect’ method of return through bilateral agreements or trust funds. To ensure the most successful outcome of the process of asset return, the paper concludes with seven key recommendations to the European Union. The appendix provides an overview of definition and the most used abbreviations.

Keywords

asset recovery, confiscation, corruption, asset return

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 12. 9. 2022

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 1. 7. 2022
• Supervisor: Drs. Linda Keijzer
• Reader: Mgr. Vladan Hodulák, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
International Territorial Studies / European Governance