Maldives: Parliament approves death penalty for major drug trafficking cases

Parliament on Wednesday passed an amendment to the Drugs Act introducing the death penalty for drug smugglers in cases where the Supreme Court bench reaches a unanimous decision.

The government proposed amendments to the Act in December last year to strengthen penalties for certain drug offences and introduce heavy fines. The initial bill included provisions for the death penalty. The bill was moved by PNC MP Yusuf Rasheed on behalf of the government and was later revised by the parliamentary committee.

With the committee’s changes incorporated, the amendment was passed with 65 votes in favour and none against.

Previously, the maximum penalty under the Drugs Act was 25 years’ imprisonment, with no provision for capital punishment.