The Ministry of Justice of Ethiopia on Thursday proposed a new draft to the country’s parliament that gives investigators the power to intercept communications without a court order.
The legislation is framed in the context of “fighting terrorism and counterfeiting of proceeds of crime.” Minister of Justice Gedion Timotheos said the legislation will repeal the existing Criminal Proceeds of Crime and Terrorism Financing Prevention and Control Act.
According to the proposed legislation, Investigators can simply get authorization from the office of the Attorney and can intercept communication and exchange of letters. The existing law does not allow that.
Among the methods of investigation under the new legislation are intercepting communication, monitoring bank accounts, monitoring computer systems, networks, and servers, and undercover operations.
“If the investigator body is in an emergency situation, it can get authorization from the chief of prosecutor institution in the area and collect information using the investigation,” according to the draft bill.
This legislation certainly changes the way service providers offer service to their clients. They are required to “cooperate” after verifying that the interception is authorized by a person of authority in the Prosecutor’s office.
The fine for counterfeiting proceeds of crime is increased to 500,000 Ethiopian Birr. It used to be 100,000 birr. The source highlighted that the draft bill explained the need for increasing the fine. They were not retributive enough.
However, the prison terms for “offenders” have not changed. It is still ten to fifteen years in prison without parole.
A relevant committee in the Ethiopian parliament is scrutinising details of the bill and will be presented to the parliament for approval.
MG/APA