Prosecutor General’s Office, on Friday, said they have begun requesting the vacation of fines to prison time for offenders who have not paid the fines imposed on them by courts for criminal offenses.

The new Penal Code allows lighter sentences for misdemeanors such as fines or community service.

PG Office, in a statement publicized on its website on Friday, said they have begun requesting lower courts to vacate the sentences of offenders who have not paid their fines to prison sentences based on information shared with the Office by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

In this regard, PG Office said they can submit to vacate the sentence of offenders to prison time if they have not settled their fines within 30 days of notice from MIRA.

The Office stressed that sentences offenders who have not paid their fines will be vacated to prison sentences from hereon, as prison time is the principal punishment for a criminal offense.

It was noted that courts impose fines after ensuring the offenders have the means to pay the fine and henceforth, no excuse can be argued for not paying the fine.

While prison time is the principal punishment for criminal offenses, fines or other lighter sentences are imposed under extenuating circumstances.

PG Office underscored that the non-payment of such fines amounted to the offender going unpunished. With repeat of such cases, the Office accused some offenders of misusing the easements provided to them by the Penal Code.