Amendment to Penal Code criminalizing illicit wealth, ratified

The fourth amendment legislation to the Penal Code of Maldives has been ratified.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the amendment, passed by the People’s Majlis on 19 April during its 30th sitting of the first sessions of the ongoing year, on Thursday morning.

Upon ratification, the amendment has been publicized in the government gazette. Once gazette, the Prevention and Prohibition of Corruption Act (Act no: 2/2000) will be dissolved. 

The newly ratified legislation criminalizes offering bribes and sheds light on the provisions under which a person may be held accountable for the offence.

According to the amendment, offering bribes is classified as a class three felony and introduces other offences such as acquiring wealth through illegitimate means, misusing state funds or assets, acting in a manner which gives a direct disadvantage to the state as well as asserting undue influence on businesses.

The newly ratified amendment also enlightens the details for prosecution under the aforementioned offences.