Fazad submits bill to confiscate proceeds of crime

Ali Fazad has submitted a bill allowing the state to confiscate proceeds of crime in certain circumstances, even without a criminal conviction. According to a One Online report dated 6 October 2026, debate on the bill has already begun.

Fazad, the PNC member for Fuvahmulah Central, submitted the bill to the People's Majlis on behalf of the government. It seeks to establish a legal framework for restraining and confiscating assets obtained through crime.

Citing the bill, the report says civil orders could be used even where a person has not been convicted. This would require proof, to the civil standard, that the assets were obtained through crime. The bill would give the Prosecutor General powers to pursue the restraint or confiscation of assets through this process.

A civil restraint order aims to prevent assets from being used, altered or concealed. A civil forfeiture order provides a means of confiscating assets for the state. Restraining assets and transferring their ownership to the state are therefore two distinct actions.

The report identifies exceptional circumstances as the suspect's death, absconding, or an inability to bring a prosecution because prosecution is impracticable. The information provided does not contain full details of the conditions governing these circumstances.

The report also says the Prosecutor General would have to apply to the High Court for a forfeiture order following a conviction. The bill provides for ownership of the assets to transfer to the state under such an order.

The bill covers money laundering, terrorism and its financing, murder, corruption and serious organised crime. It also covers drug, human and arms trafficking, sexual exploitation and certain market-related financial offences.

For tax evasion offences, the bill sets a threshold of more than MVR 500,000. For theft, robbery, breach of trust, trafficking in stolen goods and smuggling goods, the threshold is more than MVR 100,000.

The bill also includes procedures for managing restrained assets and cooperating with foreign countries on asset restraint. It proposes applying the law to Maldivians and foreigners in the Maldives, as well as Maldivians abroad. It would also apply to assets and parties overseas to a specified extent.