Lushoto’s IJA and Italy’s Sant’Anna train magistrates, prosecutors how to effectively handle wildlife cases

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Institute of Judicial Administration Lushoto (IJA), in collaboration with Italy’s Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna), is conducting specialised training for resident magistrates and prosecutors aimed at strengthening their capacity to effectively handle cases involving wildlife and natural resource crimes.

The three-day training was officially opened virtually by Italy’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Giuseppe Coppola. The programme is being funded by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

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Trainers from Tanzania and Italy are providing participants with knowledge, techniques and practical experience on investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating wildlife and natural resource crime cases, recognising that such offences often involve cross-border criminal activities.

Speaking at the opening of the training, Ambassador Coppola said the programme was particularly important amid the growing incidence of crimes targeting wildlife and natural resources, which he said continues to present a challenge that extends beyond national borders.