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Interpol
LYON, France – An international operation targeting criminal organizations involved in migrant smuggling across the Mediterranean Sea and the West African Atlantic route has resulted in 262 arrests and 434 new investigations. Operation Communis Maris (5 – 8 October 2026) also identified 109 potential victims of human trafficking and detected 1,715 irregular migrants. Of the 262 suspects arrested, 221 are accused of migrant smuggling offences, 16 of human trafficking and 25 of other crimes, including the production and use of fraudulent documents.
The Crown Prosecution Service
A former civil servant has been convicted of fraud for obtaining and holding multiple full-time Government jobs at the same time.
Kashim Chowdhury, 56, lied about his existing employment status and history on applications and was paid for multiple jobs in the civil service and associated public bodies over three years.
Between 2020 and 2023, Chowdhury repeatedly applied for positions within government departments and public bodies while concealing that he already had existing full-time employment.
The job applications he made included declarations that he had provided complete and true information, and he understood that knowingly making a false statement for this purpose was a criminal offence.
GRECO
A delegation comprising four GRECO evaluators from Czechia, Hungary, Ireland and Montenegro, a scientific expert and two members of the Secretariat visited North Macedonia from 2 to 6 November 2026 to carry out the country’s on-site evaluation under GRECO’s Sixth Round. The Round focuses on preventing corruption and promoting integrity at the sub-national level. The City of Skopje and the Municipality of Kumanovo volunteered to participate in this evaluation. During the visit, the delegation met with representatives of central institutions, national oversight bodies, municipal councils, mayors, and municipal administrations. It also held discussions with the Association of the Units of Local Self-Government, civil society representatives, the media and academics.
