Putin Signs Off on Ratification of Convention Against Terrorism Financing

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on the ratification of the Council of Europe's Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism, according to the government portal of legal information.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow has repeatedly called for joint efforts aimed at preventing terrorism financing.

"Ratify the European Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism of May 16, 2005, signed on behalf of the Russian Federation in Strasbourg on January 26, 2009," the decree, posted on Wednesday, says.

In June, the Russian government approved the Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism, and has presented the document to Russian President Vladimir Putin for ratification.

The agreement was issued by the Council of Europe in May 2005 in Poland's capital of Warsaw and was signed by Russia in January 2009 in the French city of Strasbourg.

The convention became the first international treaty that covered both the prevention, and control of money laundering and financing of terrorist activity. In particular, the agreement aims to facilitate the intentional cooperation and assistance in the investigation, seizing and confiscation of criminal assets, by providing quick access to financial information.

As of now, 28 states among 39 signatories have ratified the document.