31/10/2024

A basic training course on preventing and combatting the illegal trade in cultural property, artworks, and archaeological artifacts was held in Mostar in the last three days. It was organized by the Agency for Education and Professional Training (AEPTM) and supported by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of the training was to acquire knowledge and improve competencies required for the effective prevention and combatting of criminal activities in this field.

Following the completion of the training, Marko Vujević, Director of the Agency for Education and Professional Training, awarded the certificates of attendance to the participants, including police officers from the national, entity, and cantonal levels, and officials from the Indirect Taxation Authority. He expressed gratitude to the OSCE Mission for yet another well-executed collaborative programme with AEPTM, which is a partnership that has lasted for many years, marked by valuable donations and support in organizing professional training programmes with excellent experts. "The training we are completing today has been well-tailored. Held at the Agency's premises, it had its practical component taking place at archaeological sites in Tomislavgrad, as well as in museums and galleries in Široki Brijeg and Mostar," said Vujević, adding that the value of this training is in bringing together officials from institutions across all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet, exchange experiences, and discuss new forms of cooperation. "No institution can do anything on its own.  Only by stablishing stronger connections, cooperation, and information sharing can we make a progress’’.

The training covered a range of relevant topics – protection of cultural heritage, international legal regulations, customs procedures for the import/export of cultural property, illegal online trade, current trends, challenges and consequences of illegal trade in cultural property, illegal archaeological excavations, specific forms of illegal activity, the link between terrorism and illegal trade in cultural property, as well as preventive measures in protecting cultural property, artworks, and archaeological artifacts, and criminal-law protection. The speakers were: Maja Soldo (Institute for the Protection of Cultural and Historical Heritage of West Herzegovina Canton), Sanel Habul (AEPTM), Dženan Jusufović and Amra Ćebić (Art Smuggling Prevention Center Tuzla), Anja Krajčinović (Border Security and Management, OSCE), Sava Škrba (Indirect Taxation Authority), Verica Trbić (Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies, INTERPOL Office), Vedran Alidžanović and Admir Arnautović (Prosecutor's Office of Tuzla Canton).