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Saxony Finance Chief Pushes Burden-of-Proof Reversal to Seize Suspected Laundered Assets

The plan would shift the onus to owners to prove the lawful origin of high-value assets.

Overview

  • Christian Piwarz proposed adopting Beweislastumkehr on Oct. 24 to make asset confiscation easier in cases linked to money laundering.
  • He argues prosecutions alone fall short and says authorities should target illegally obtained wealth to hurt organized crime groups.
  • Under current practice, officials must prove that real estate, luxury cars or other goods were financed with criminal proceeds.
  • Piwarz says reversing the burden would enormously help authorities secure suspicious property of significant value.
  • The push comes as Saxony reports roughly two dozen proceedings against groups labeled as organized crime and as Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt unveiled a situation report calling such networks a major threat.