Parliament of Maldives has approved the amendment to suspend all privileges and protection to former presidents until they complete serving any criminal sentences imposed on them.
The amendment to the Privileges and Protection to Former Presidents Act was approved with votes from 58 members present at the sitting today. The current law states all protection and privileges will be removed once a former president is convicted of a criminal charge.
Parliamentarian Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem proposed an amendment to this law, stating privileges and protection to former presidents will be suspended until they complete serving any criminal sentences imposed on them, after which they would once again be eligible for the privileges and protection stated under the Act.
The parliament passed the amendment a few days after former President Abdulla Yameen was sentenced to five years in prison after he was found guilty of the money laundering charges pressed by the state against him.
According to the Privileges and Protection to Former Presidents Act, any former president who served one term in office will receive a monthly allowance of USD 3,245, while any former president who served two terms in office will receive a monthly allowance of USD 4,867. In addition, they will also receive allowances to cover their accommodation and office expenses.