A draft bill providing for a more lenient treatment by courts of those returning embezzled state funds or other proceeds illegally obtained from the public sector was tabled by the Justice Ministry on Monday.

Under the provision of the bill, those exempt from favorable treatment include prime ministers and all members of the government, MPs, MEPs, general secretaries at ministries, regional governors, deputy regional governors, mayors and vice mayors.

The draft bill concerns criminal, tax/customs law offences such as money-laundering and false declarations regarding source of wealth.