Forfeiture of assets - authority - ICC proceedings

Republic of Mauritius

Mauritius - Mutual Assistance Act 2003 EN

PART III - FORMS OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE

13. Effect of registration of foreign confiscation order or foreign restraining order

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), where an order has been registered under section 12 and the Supreme Court is notified that it has been established to the satisfaction of a foreign court or international tribunal that the property or any part thereof constitutes the proceeds of crime of a serious offence or of an international tribunal offence, order that the property be confiscated and be vested in the State until such arrangement is made under section 19 by the Central Authority with the foreign State.

(2) The Court may make an order under subsection (1) on such conditions as it may deem fit to impose, including any condition as to payment of debts, sale, transfer or disposal of any property.

(3) Any person who claims to have an interest in property subject to an order registered under section 12 shall, within 21 days from the last publication of the registration under section 12, apply to the Court for an order under subsection (4).

(4) Where the Court is satisfied that the applicant under subsection (3) -

(a) was not in any way involved in the commission of the offence in respect of which the confiscation or restraining order was sought ; and
(b) acquired the property without knowing, and in circumstances such as not to arouse a reasonable suspicion, that the property was, at the time of acquisition tainted property,
the Court shall make an order declaring the nature of the interest of the applicant.

Rome Statute

Article 93 Other forms of cooperation

1. States Parties shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Part and under procedures of national law, comply with requests by the Court to provide the following assistance in relation to investigations or prosecutions:

(k) The identification, tracing and freezing or seizure of proceeds, property and assets and instrumentalities of crimes for the purpose of eventual forfeiture, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties; and