More than 70 judges, prosecutors, and investigators in Seychelles have received a critical skills upgrade to better handle complex cybercrime cases that harm people at home and abroad.
They took part in two advanced workshops organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in Mahe from 10 to 14 March 2025, with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The workshops aim to address an expertise gap faced by small island developing states like Seychelles in tracking, investigating, and prosecuting digital crimes, such as online scams, identity theft and hacking.
During the first workshop, 20 judges engaged in case studies and simulations to better understand the application of the national cybercrime act, the legal admissibility of electronic evidence and the area of international co-operation – an essential part of prosecuting digital crimes that are by nature borderless.
The second workshop trained more than 50 prosecutors and investigators in the latest tools and techniques for gathering, authenticating, and presenting electronic evidence to help crack down on cybercriminals.
A significant threat
Recognising cybercrime as a significant threat to national security, Errol Fonseka, Seychelles’ Minister of Internal Affairs, stressed the urgency of a coordinated and comprehensive response.
He added:
“This workshop provides a unique opportunity for us to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and strengthen our collective capacity to address cybercrime and electronic evidence.
“The expertise and insights shared during this symposium will contribute to our ongoing efforts to build a safer and more secure cyberspace for all.”
The workshops were commended for their practical approach, especially by those working on the frontlines.
Jerrold Morel, who heads cybercrime investigations for Seychelles Police, said he valued gaining a deeper understanding of how cybercriminals operate and the challenges prosecutors face in bringing them to justice.
He added: “The training will boost our capacity and awareness of everyone involved to ensure that cybercriminals and victims receive justice on both ends of the law.”
A skills gap
Angela Payet, legal adviser at the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles, pointed out that while the country has a world-class digital forensics lab, it lacks specialised personnel to maximise its potential.
She said: “This training will help us make full use of our forensics equipment, establish standard operating procedures for the lab, and improve how we formulate cybercrime cases and present digital evidence in court.”
Jeff Glekin, British High Commissioner to Seychelles, highlighted that small states are often targets for cybercriminals and face significant consequences.
He explained that these workshops form part of the UK’s three-year partnership with Seychelles to strengthen police capabilities, including cyber resilience.
In a video address, Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General Luis G. Franceschi said: “Cybercrime is a pressing issue that affects us all right now. Cybercriminals are constantly adapting, and we must too.”
He expressed hope that the workshops would equip participants with valuable insights, practical skills, and the confidence to handle cybercrime cases more effectively.
Since 2018, the Commonwealth has upskilled more than 1,400 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judicial officials from 55 Commonwealth countries.
Recently, judicial officers in one beneficiary country reported a 50 per cent improvement in handling electronic evidence.
Media contact
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Snober Abbasi, Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
