The President ratifies the fourth amendment bill to the Criminal Procedure Act 24 November 2022

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thursday ratified the fourth amendment bill to the Criminal Procedure Act (Law No. 12/2016). The Parliament passed the bill at the 33rd sitting of its third session this year on Monday, November 7, 2022.

The bill revises the procedures governing court warrants for imposing travel restrictions on suspects. The bill also revises the duration given to the Prosecutor General's Office to file charges and the policies governing plea agreements.

The amendment also includes provisions governing witness protection and procedures for acquiring the testimony of witnesses under protection. The bill also requires the state to request witness protection if a witness's safety and security are jeopardised.

Upon ratification, the amendment was published in the Government Gazette.