Europol set up OSINT task force to support war crimes investigations in Ukraine
The new Operational Taskforce (OTF) was created to assist in the investigation of international crimes committed in Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
The purpose of this working group is to help identify suspects and their involvement in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide crimes committed in Ukraine through the collection and analysis of intelligence information from open sources (OSINT).
Such intelligence data can significantly assist investigators in checking and recording cases of war crimes committed.
The OTF is led by the international crime fighting units of the Netherlands Police (Nationale Politie) and the Federal Office of the German Criminal Police (Bunskriminalamt), with the support of Europol and its Major International Crimes Analysis Project (AP CIC).
So far, 14 countries have agreed to allocate a special OSINT unit to support priority requests from Ukraine, other countries and the International Criminal Court.
The OTF may also seek support and cooperation from non-OTF member organisations, EU agencies, NGOs or private companies.
Participating countries:
Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Norway, United Kingdom, United States of America.
National Police of Ukraine
