Bureau for Operational Coordination of the Intelligence and Security Sector holds a session

The Bureau for Operational Coordination of the Intelligence and Security Sector, with the participation of the Minister of the Interior, held its 13th session, during which several issues related to the activities of intelligence and security sector bodies were discussed.

Recalling that during 2024 and 2025 it had on several occasions publicly called for legislative amendments due to the inefficiency of judicial authorities, the Bureau reiterated its request to extend the maximum duration of pre-trial detention for serious criminal offences from three to five years until the delivery of first-instance judgments, as well as to define violations of supervision measures as a separate criminal offence. Given that recent developments have confirmed the validity of these proposals, the Bureau once again appeals, insists, and demands that urgent amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and the Criminal Code be adopted as soon as possible, as these issues directly affect the rule of law, the fight against organized crime, and the overall security situation.

The Bureau identified as a fundamental reform step the need to adopt the Law on Internal Affairs and the Law on the National Security Agency, particularly from the perspective of strengthening human resources and protecting integrity, as well as continuing the development of a professional, credible, and resilient security sector.

The Bureau also underlined that amendments to the Law on Weapons are in the final stage of harmonization with the European Commission, after which the draft will be ready for further procedure and adoption.

Hybrid action was highlighted as one of the key security challenges, having reached its peak in the recent period in attempts to destabilize the security environment. It was proposed that this issue be treated as one of the national priorities in the fight against serious and organized crime.

The session emphasized record-breaking results achieved in areas of national priority in combating serious and organized crime, as well as progress made in 2025 compared to 2024. Improvements were recorded in almost all areas, with a particular focus on continued operations against narcotics and tobacco criminal networks; economic crime, with a 50% increase in the number of prosecuted persons; money laundering, with an increase of as much as 184%; tax evasion, with a 109% increase; and environmental crime, with a 20% increase in the number of criminal complaints filed.

The Bureau also highlighted results achieved in the execution of arrest warrants, noting that in the period 2024–2025 a total of 1,138 persons were deprived of liberty, compared to 610 persons in the period 2022–2023, representing an increase of nearly 100%.

Furthermore, the Bureau noted that, based on conclusions from previous sessions, activities under the Law on Foreigners have been significantly intensified. In 2025, a record level of activity was recorded compared to 2024, including a minimum 20% increase in misdemeanor charges filed and entry ban decisions issued, and an increase of up to 624% in initiatives for the termination of temporary residence of foreign nationals.

Other issues of importance were also discussed, including addressing staffing shortages within the Police Directorate, introducing a system of stationary speed cameras, improving interoperability among intelligence and security sector bodies, continuing activities related to the introduction of city video surveillance systems, reviewing reports of interdepartmental working groups, and a number of additional matters.