The European Commission wants to simplify the confiscation of assets related to criminal activity, in particular those who evade sanctions against Russia.

This was reported by Reuters.

According to Ekonomichna Pravda, the crimes to which the new rules will apply are terrorism, participation in a criminal organisation, human trafficking, money laundering, and violation of EU sanctions, which, according to a separate proposal also published on Wednesday, will become a crime worldwide.

According to the newspaper, asset confiscation usually requires a guilty verdict. However, under the new draft law, it will be possible to confiscate them at the stage of investigation of suspected criminals, as well as when the suspect transfers such assets to third parties, such as family members.

The EU authorities have stated that one of the main obstacles they faced in applying sanctions against Moscow was that assets were registered in someone else's name or transferred before the sanctions were imposed.

The proposal needs the support of EU governments to become law.

Read all about the confiscation of Russian assets and the Ukrainian model in our research.