Bill on the recovery of illicit assets accepted and sent to Judiciary Committee
12 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ހޯމަ 09:51This bill, which empowers the state to seize assets and financial gains derived from serious criminal activities, grants the Prosecutor General the authority to freeze property prior to a conviction under specific circumstances. Aimed at tackling offenses such as money laundering and corruption, the legislation also facilitates international cooperation to recover illicit assets held outside the Maldives.
A sitting of the People's Majlis. | Majlis
The People's Majlis has accepted a bill concerning the forfeiture of assets obtained through criminal activity and forwarded it to the Judiciary Committee for further review.
The bill was accepted and forwarded to the Judiciary Committee for review during Monday's parliamentary session. A total of 56 members voted in favor of accepting the bill.
The bill was introduced to Parliament on behalf of the government.
MDP members debating the bill highlighted that while it is crucial to draft laws in line with international standards to prevent crime and seize criminal assets, such legislation must be formulated in a manner that ensures it cannot be misused.
The bill is designed to ensure that perpetrators of serious felonies face statutory penalties while simultaneously preventing them from benefiting from illicit financial gains by identifying and seizing such assets. Under the proposed legislation, assets can be confiscated by the state upon conviction. Furthermore, the bill outlines specific procedures that allow for the civil forfeiture of assets to the state without a criminal conviction under certain exceptional circumstances.
The exceptional circumstances under which assets may be seized without a criminal conviction include instances where the suspect has deceased, is a fugitive, or cannot be prosecuted for other reasons. In such cases, if it can be proven on a balance of probabilities that the assets were obtained through criminal activity, the Prosecutor General is empowered to freeze the property under a civil restraint order or forfeit it to the state through a civil forfeiture order.
Under this legislation, assets can be seized for offenses including money laundering, terrorism, homicide, drug trafficking, human trafficking, sexual offenses, corruption, and serious organized crime. Furthermore, the law empowers the state to confiscate assets acquired through tax evasion exceeding MVR 500,000, as well as proceeds from robberies involving values greater than MVR 100,000.
Regarding international cooperation, the bill stipulates that the Prosecutor General may seek international assistance to freeze or confiscate assets obtained through criminal activities located in foreign jurisdictions. Furthermore, the bill outlines the procedures for providing reciprocal assistance to foreign nations in freezing similar assets located within the Maldives that belong to their citizens.
This law shall apply to Maldivian citizens and foreign nationals within the Maldives, as well as Maldivian citizens residing abroad. Furthermore, this law shall extend to all property located within the Maldives.
