Bassam Hands Over Apartments, Says Police
The Maldives Police Service has confirmed that former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) president Bassam Adeel Jaleel has handed over two apartments in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving FAM and FIFA funds.
Police had initially agreed to a request by Bassam to delay the handover deadline until October 31, but they rescinded the decision on Monday, instructing that the properties be surrendered by 12am on October 9. According to police, yesterday, the apartments were handed over as required.
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#MPSPressStatement: 171-A(C1)/PS/2024/11: Male’, G. Fahivaage, Bassaamu Adheelu Jaleelu dhiriulhemun gendhaa Hulhumale lot number N2-25 ge block A ge number A1205 adhi A1206 apartment fuluhunge belumuge dhahah negumaa gulhey https://t.co/yzTs4fwwA8 pic.twitter.com/ySnkOOPIhl— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) October 7, 2024
The properties, located in the Amin Avenue Block A in Hulhumale’, are at the centre of an inquiry into the suspected misuse of a USD 1.9 million relief loan from FIFA. The loan, intended to address FAM’s financial challenges, was allegedly used to purchase the apartments.
Details shared by the police during a press conference last month allege that Amin Construction, the company responsible for building the apartments, received USD 1 million from FAM for the properties. Police further allege that Amin Construction has yet to repay this sum to FAM, with documents appearing falsified to suggest otherwise.
The investigation has gained momentum in recent weeks as authorities work to establish the extent of alleged financial misconduct within FAM. The use of FIFA relief funds to acquire luxury apartments has raised concerns over financial governance practices within the organisation.
Confidentiality Requested in Case Against Bassam
The State has filed an appeal with the Criminal Court to keep certain evidence confidential in the case against Bassam Adeel Jaleel, the former President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM).
Bassam faces charges of money laundering and corruption, stemming from allegations that he misappropriated USD 9,999 (MVR 154,000) along with funds granted by FIFA in 2018 for personal use, which were deposited into his personal bank account.
During a hearing at the Criminal Court, the State requested that FAM’s bank statement and the account statements of several other individuals, to whom money had been transferred from Bassam’s accounts, remain confidential. They indicated that while they sought confidentiality for this evidence, they had no objections to Bassam’s defence team reviewing the documents within the court premises.
Bassam’s lawyer, Ibrahim Shameel, expressed concern that prior documentation had not disclosed the State’s request for confidentiality regarding these statements. He requested to examine the form submitted by the State to support this request. Judge Ismail Shafeeu responded that the court would provide a copy of the requested document.
Furthermore, Bassam’s defence team previously claimed that some of the documents submitted by the State lacked clarity and requested new copies. The Judge has granted them until October 23 to formally request these documents from the Prosecutor General’s Office. He stated that if the documents are not received by that date, the defence could present the issue as a pre-trial motion.
The Judge announced that a further hearing will be scheduled later this month, during which the defence will have the opportunity to respond to the charges.
