Criminalization of Possession of Unexplained Property by non- public servants and by non- employees of public organizations in Ethiopia now and then
Author: Zeray Weldesenbet The criminalization of possession of unexplained property in the private sector is not new in Ethiopia. There was a proclamation with a penalty clause that penalized anyone, excluding public servants and employees of public organizations, who was in control of property disproportionate to their present or past lawful income or obtained from other lawful means. The criminalization of possession of unexplained property in the private sector is provided by Article 15 of Proclamation No. 657/2009, titled 'Proclamation on the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism.' Article 15 states as follows: " Article 15. Unexplained Property 1. Without prejudice to Article 419 of the Criminal Code, any person, who is in control of pecuniary resources or property disproportionate to his present or past lawful income or obtained from other lawful means shall, unless he gives a satisfactory explanation to the court as to h...