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Police patrol a street in Male. (File Photo/Police)

Sale of knives to children banned under new anti-gang law

According to the law, anyone found guilty of selling a knife to a child faces a fine between MVR 20,000 and MVR 100,000.

25 August 2025

The sale of knives to children has been banned under the Gang Crimes Prevention Act, which came into force on Monday.

The Act, introduced by the government late last year and passed by Parliament in May, was ratified by the President on 25 May. It came into effect three months after ratification.

According to the law, anyone found guilty of selling a knife to a child faces a fine between MVR 20,000 and MVR 100,000.

The Act also makes it an offence to form or operate an organised criminal group. Convictions for such offences cannot be pardoned or commuted, nor can plea agreements be entered into.

Five categories of offences committed by organised groups are included in the law, regardless of whether dangerous weapons are used:

  • Murder

  • Dangerous assault

  • Causing serious physical injury

  • Threats

  • Kidnapping

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