Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef has stated that with the implementation of the law on preventing gang crimes and other dangerous offenses, public trust and confidence in the justice system will increase. The Prosecutor General made this statement while speaking at a session held to brief journalists about the law related to gang crimes. Speaking at the press briefing session, Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef said that from the day the law on preventing gang crimes comes into effect, if the crimes specified in the law are committed, they will be designated as gang activities and action will be taken. However, the PG noted that considerable effort would be required to gather sufficient evidence to designate a group as a gang, and preparations for this are currently underway.
Under the new law, a criminal group can be submitted to the High Court to be designated as a gang. If it is proven that a group is committing organized crimes and is designated as a gang, information about that group will be published in the Government Gazette, according to the PG. The PG stated that withd that with the changes brought by the law on preventing gang crimes, public trust in the justice system will increase. He explained that previously, even for serious crimes, sentences could be reduced by half, and some individuals had the opportunity for presidential pardons. However, with the new law, these options will be closed for serious offenses. The PG also mentioned that there will be no leniency for major crimes.
“When a plea agreement is made, half of the jail sentence can be reduced. But with the new law, even with a confession, it will lead to a 25-year sentence. Neither the court nor the president can grant leniency. This brings great certainty to the system,” said the PG. The law on preventing gangs will facilitate the confiscation of illegally obtained wealth by the state. The PG’s office stated that the management and disposal of such confiscated assets will be determined by regulations made under the law by the ministry responsible for finance.
The law on preventing gang crimes and other dangerous offenses will come into effect on the 25th of this month. The Prosecutor General’s Office is currently undertaking numerous efforts to raise public awareness about this law.
