ACC urges Parliament to pass asset seizure bill, saying it will prevent criminals from retaining illegal wealth

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday said the government’s proposed bill on the confiscation of criminal property will establish a strong legal framework to prevent corruption, recover undue profits from serious crimes and stop the accumulation of illegal wealth.

In a statement, the ACC described the government’s formal introduction of the Proceeds of Crime Bill as a significant and historic step in the Maldives’ fight against corruption. The Commission said the bill would strengthen efforts to prevent corruption, recover illicit gains from serious offences, and ensure criminals cannot retain unlawful assets.

The ACC said the move also gives fresh momentum to joint institutional efforts to safeguard state resources for future generations.

The Commission stated that it will continue working closely with state institutions and international partners to uphold the rule of law and establish the highest standards of justice in the Maldives.

The ACC further expressed hope that Parliament will pass the bill as soon as possible and in the most technically complete form.

A bill on criminal property was drafted and submitted to Parliament on Tuesday.

In a post on social media, President Muizzu said one of the main purposes of the bill is to create a legal framework to confiscate property obtained through criminal offences, preventing offenders from profiting from such crimes. He said the bill also addresses existing legal gaps in confiscating state property acquired by individuals involved in serious criminal offences.

Notably, although courts have ordered the forfeiture of money and property obtained through crime in major cases, such orders have rarely been enforced.

A bill has now been introduced to prevent criminals from retaining such property or benefiting financially from it. A separate bill to prevent unjust enrichment has also been submitted to Parliament.

Although the law already contains provisions on criminal property, an earlier amendment to the Drugs Act submitted by this government also included a review of procedures for seizing and confiscating criminal assets.