Maldives government proposes life sentence for treason in Penal Code amendment

The Maldives government has submitted a bill to Parliament proposing amendments to the Penal Code (Qanoonul Uqoobathu) that would make treason against the country a first-degree felony punishable by up to life imprisonment. Under the proposed amendment, acts defined as treason include waging war against the Maldives, taking part with a party at war with the Maldives, and joining or aiding an enemy that undermines the country's independence and sovereignty. While the basic sentence for a first-degree felony under the Penal Code is between 10 and 25 years in prison, the bill states that courts may impose life imprisonment as the maximum penalty depending on the circumstances of the offence. A person convicted of the offence would also be barred from ever being appointed to any state post or position. The amendment was sent to Parliament as part of a bill that also includes heavy penalties in the name of economic damage, a move reported to be aimed at silencing voices against the Rasmalé project. President Mohamed Muizzu had promised during his presidential election campaign to introduce a special law against acts of treason, speaking at the time while criticising the then-government over the presence of Indian troops in the Maldives.