Maldives enacts new law with harsher penalties for gang-related crime

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified new legislature to replace the previous Anti-Gang Crime Act on Sunday, as he promised a strong response to curbing gang-related crimes.

Speaking to reporters after enacting the new law, President Muizzu said that gang-related crimes had remained unresolved in the Maldives for years because politicians appease gangs for their own personal gain.

He said that his administration will be indiscriminate in enforcing the law.

“This is not some symbolic gesture. This is something real,” he said, as he spoke to reporters after the signing ceremony held at his office.

The new Anti-Gang Crime Act, which the Parliament passed on May 15, arms law enforcement agencies with greater powers to curb gang activity, including the power to enter and search private properties and make arrests without a court warrant, and hold arrestees for up to 48 hours while denying for legal representation.

Authorities will also have the power to deny parole to offenders of major crimes, and the legislature also prescribes lengthy prison sentences exceeding 10 years and huge fines for various offenses.

Other key provisions include:

• Judicial identification of gangs and affiliated individuals
• Confiscation of illicit wealth and assets linked to gang activity, serious crime, or illicit enrichment through judicial processes
• Criminalization of financial support to gangs
• Use of controlled deliveries and covert operations to disrupt gang networks
• Preventive measures to protect juveniles from recruitment into gangs
• Monitoring of high-risk individuals, including electronic tagging under the MoniCon Order
• Establishment of a structured system for offender supervision and rehabilitation

In July 2024, the police established a dedicated Gand Crime Enforcement Unit carry out focused efforts to curtail gang-related crimes. The move came shortly after Home Minister Ali Ihusan said the authorities have identified some 400 juveniles across the country with links to criminal gangs, who require immediate intervention.  

According to the President’s Office, 31,511 individuals have been questioned in gang hotspots, 180 have been arrested, 83 have been charged since the establishment of the Gang Crime Enforcement Unit.