Parliament passes Extradition Bill

The parliament has passed the Extradition Bill, to facilitate the handover of persons accused or convicted crimes to foreign countries in which the crimes were committed.

The bill was passed at today’s parliament sitting, with 58 votes in favour, and two against.

The bill defines the categories of crimes for which persons can be extradited, the procedures for transit in Maldives for suspects or convicts, and the procedures for dealing with suspects or convicts who are brought to the Maldives.

The bill states that persons can be extradited for the trial if they have been indicted for a crime; for sentencing if he has been convicted of a crime, but not sentenced; and for the execution of the sentence if he has been convicted and sentenced.

The bill states that Maldivians shall not be extradited to other countries, but if a country requests the extradition of a particular person, the person must be indicted for the crime in the Maldives if possible.

According to the bill, persons can only be extradited for crimes which carry sentences of minimum one year imprisonment in the country in which the crime was committed.