Dr. George Demetriades, Assistant Professor of Law at Neapolis University Pafos, represented both Cyprus and Neapolis University Pafos at the 42nd International Symposium on Economic...
Dr. George Demetriades, Assistant Professor of Law at Neapolis University Pafos, represented both Cyprus and Neapolis University Pafos at the 42nd International Symposium on Economic Crime, held at Jesus College, University of Cambridge.
In his address, Dr. Demetriades analysed the challenges faced by national legal frameworks in tackling cross-border economic crime, with a particular focus on money laundering, fraud, and the misuse of cryptocurrencies. He stressed the urgent need to strengthen domestic laws so they can effectively respond to these threats. Effective enforcement, he noted, requires rapid asset freezing, the integration of criminal confiscation, civil recovery and sanctions, as well as full transparency regarding corporate ownership. He also underlined the importance of digitalising enforcement processes, enhancing international cooperation, and adapting legislation to the evolving risks of cybercrime and crypto-assets.
Particular emphasis was placed on the dilemmas faced by professionals such as lawyers and accountants, who must balance the delivery of high-quality services to their clients with the strict obligations of anti-money laundering regulations. As he highlighted, the effective freezing and recovery of criminal assets is central to combating organised crime, yet the process is frequently hampered when assets are hidden in foreign jurisdictions.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Demetriades emphasised that effective domestic law is not only a legal requirement but also a matter of credibility:
“Only by embedding domestic law within the international enforcement ecosystem can we credibly declare that crime does not pay — not here, not abroad, not anywhere.”
The Symposium brought together more than 1,000 participants from across the globe, including Attorneys General, ministers, parliamentarians, judges, lawyers, and academics. Neapolis University Pafos’ active participation in such high-level international forums reflects its commitment to contributing to the global dialogue on law and economics, promoting research excellence, and fostering meaningful international collaborations.
Dr. George Demetriades, Assistant Professor of Law at Neapolis University Pafos, represented both Cyprus and Neapolis University Pafos at the 42nd International Symposium on Economic...
Neapolis University Pafos hosted the 22nd EMCIS on 11–12 September 2025. Scholars and professionals in Information Systems engaged in focused discussions across Artificial Intelligence, Big...
