Europol has joined a joint investigation team to investigate international crimes in Ukraine

Europol, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, has officially become a part of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) focused on investigating grave international crimes within Ukraine, according to a statement from Europol's press service.

During the 17th meeting of the Consultative Forum of Eurojust Prosecutors General, the Prosecutors General from seven participating countries, along with Catherine De Bolle, the Executive Director of Europol, signed an agreement formalizing this partnership.

Europol will fulfill its role by providing analytical and forensic support to the JIT members. Additionally, it will aid in collecting and analyzing data sourced from lawful open channels like social media, television, and radio broadcasts, collectively known as open source intelligence (OSINT).

Moreover, Europol will contribute its expertise in the realms of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other international offenses to the Major Project on the Analysis of International Crime (AP CIC).

The JIT itself was established on March 25, 2022, with Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine as founding members, supported by Eurojust. Estonia, Latvia, and Slovakia joined on May 31, 2022, followed by Romania on October 13, 2022. On April 25, 2023, Europol officially became part of the JIT, alongside Eurojust and the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Additionally, on March 3, 2023, seven national JIT bodies signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Europol has been actively involved in coordinating meetings and activities for JITs and other national authorities investigating alleged serious international crimes in Ukraine since March of the previous year.

In a related development on September 5, 2023, Europol provided strategic analysis training to representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs system.