Bassam appeals court order on FAM fraud apartments seize

Former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel has appealed against a court order to seize two apartments allegedly bought by funnelling funds through the football's governing body.

The order of the Hulhumale Magistrate's Court was appealed in the High Court on Wednesday. The registry shows that the court has not yet decided whether to accept the case.

Police on Wednesday seized Bassam's apartments under Section 51 of the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act.

The two apartments, located in the (A) Block of Amin Avenue, Hulhumale’, are at the centre of an investigation into financial mismanagement involving FAM and FIFA funds.

Initially, the police had agreed to a request by Bassam to delay the handover until October 31.

However, in a statement issued on Monday, police reversed their decision, stating that they will not postpone the handover any further.

The case against Bassam stems from a financial arrangement in which FAM allegedly used a $1.9 million relief loan from FIFA to purchase the two apartments. This loan was intended to alleviate the financial difficulties faced by FAM.

According to details revealed by the police in a press conference last month, Amin Construction, which built the apartments, received $1 million from FAM for the properties.

However, police allege that Amin Construction has yet to pay this amount back to FAM, suggesting the documents were falsified to appear otherwise.

This investigation has intensified in recent weeks as authorities seek to uncover the full extent of financial misconduct involving the funds intended for FAM.

The handling of the FIFA loan and its use to acquire luxury apartments for Bassam has raised serious questions about financial governance within the organisation.