The government has submitted a bill to Parliament to amend the Penal Code, seeking to categorise treason as a major felony punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The administration proposed this amendment within a broader bill that outlines severe penalties for causing economic damage. This move is seen as an attempt to suppress growing criticism surrounding the Rasmalé project.
According to the bill, treason is defined as waging war against the Maldives, participating in such a conflict, or collaborating with and providing assistance to an enemy that threatens the independence and sovereignty of the country.
Under the proposed changes, treason would be classified as a first-degree felony. While the standard sentence for this category in the Penal Code ranges from 10 to 25 years, courts would have the discretion to impose life imprisonment as the maximum penalty, depending on the circumstances of the crime.
Furthermore, the bill stipulates that any individual convicted of treason would be permanently barred from holding any state office or government employment.
During his presidential campaign, President Mohamed Muizzu pledged to enact special legislation to ensure harsh penalties for those who betray the nation. At the time, he made these remarks while criticising the previous administration over the presence of Indian military personnel in the Maldives.
