The Public Prosecution and Birzeit University Launch Training Program for the Diploma in Skills for Investigating New Crimes

SadaNews - The Public Prosecution and Birzeit University launched the training program for the Diploma in Skills for Investigating New Crimes, the first batch, in partnership with the Sawsiah (3) project, attended by His Excellency the Attorney General, Advisor Akram Al-Khatib, President of Birzeit University Dr. Talal Shihwan, and Director General of the Police, Major General Alam Al-Saqa, along with the Director of the Sawsiah project, Simon Ridley. The program targeted several members and employees of the Public Prosecution in response to the rapid developments in crime patterns, particularly those linked to technological and financial transformations, which have resulted in new crimes requiring specialized skills in investigation and digital and financial analysis.

During the launch of the first batch program, the Attorney General emphasized that this diploma marks a crucial turning point in the development of the concept of criminal investigation, given the profound changes that have occurred in the nature of crime. He asserted that the Public Prosecution could no longer afford to delay in updating its tools, emphasizing that this diploma represents a clear institutional response to the challenges of the new reality and reflects the transition of the Public Prosecution from thinking to execution in building a modern model for criminal investigation.

He clarified that criminal investigation is no longer a formal procedure governed only by the text; rather, it has become a complex analytical work that combines legal knowledge, technical understanding, financial investigation, and data analysis, with a strict commitment to protecting rights and freedoms.

He noted that the diploma is a product of a strategic partnership with the Law Institute at Birzeit University, based on three fundamental pillars: procedural integrity as the basis of justice, professional competency as an essential condition for successful prosecution, and professional ethics as a guarantee of the legitimacy of the investigation before the judiciary and society.

For his part, President of Birzeit University Dr. Shihwan pointed out that this program embodies a genuine and integrative institutional partnership with the Palestinian Public Prosecution, which played a pivotal role in shaping its components and developing its contents, reflecting the deep relationship between the two parties based on the exchange of experiences and the unification of efforts in building specialized training programs. He affirmed that this diploma responds to the rapid developments in crime patterns and methods and the urgent need to qualify legal personnel capable of keeping pace with these challenges, graduating new cohorts equipped with modern skills and knowledge to handle contemporary crimes with efficiency and professionalism, expressing his hope to enhance and expand the horizons of future cooperation with the Palestinian Public Prosecution to develop the criminal justice system and consolidate the rule of law.

On his part, Project Director Simon expressed his pride in launching this program, confirming that the Sawsiah project places special importance on enhancing the criminal justice system in Palestine through a strategic and integrated partnership with the Public Prosecution. He noted that the support of the Sawsiah project for this diploma will not be limited to the launch phase but will continue with the aim of developing it into an advanced training model that contributes to graduating qualified cohorts capable of addressing new crimes in Palestine, particularly cyber and financial crimes, and dealing with cross-border cases.