In their words: Tackling terrorism and transnational crime

High court judge Eliezer Feleshi says ISS training helped combat crime and terrorism in East Africa.

Published on 22 March 2016 in Impact

‘We are now better equipped to prevent terrorism through measures which identify and deal with terror plots before offences are committed,’ says Eliezer Feleshi, a Tanzanian high court judge and former director of public prosecutions (DPP).

Feleshi was in the DPP post for seven years, has headed the East African Association of Prosecutors (EAAP) and was also vice president of the Africa Prosecutors Association.

‘Working with the ISS has strengthened the East African region’s ability to combat crime and terror,’ says Feleshi. ‘We can’t wait until we are bombed [before taking action]. Now, following the ISS training, we can cripple the terrorists by dealing with the smaller terrorism related offences before they lead to bigger crimes.’

ISS training for East African prosecutors has covered terrorism, transnational crimes, international criminal justice, witness protection, mutual legal assistance and extradition.

‘The ISS was very helpful,’ Feleshi says. ‘It strengthened the capacity of our people and helped us to prosecute terrorism cases and prepare documents for mutual legal assistance and extradition requests, such as those from Uganda following the 2010 bombing of Kampala by al-Shabaab. It made a great difference and had great impact.’

Feleshi says he has also requested ISS support in training the Tanzanian judiciary.

	We are now better equipped to prevent terrorism. Working with the ISS has strengthened the East African region’s ability to combat crime and terror
	– Eliezer Feleshi, High court judge, Tanzania