2 more charges against ex-football body chief Bassam
The Prosecutor General's Office disclosed the new developments, revealing that Bassam faces serious allegations of embezzlement and money laundering.
Former President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Bassam Adeel Jaleel, has been hit with two additional charges in connection with an ongoing money laundering case involving FAM funds.
The Prosecutor General's Office disclosed the new developments on Sunday, revealing that Bassam faces serious allegations of embezzlement and money laundering.
Details of the charges:
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Embezzlement of $1.2 million : Under Section 215 of the Penal Code, Bassam is accused of misappropriating $1.2 million from FAM funds. The money was allegedly used to make a deposit for purchasing an apartment in Amin Avenue. If found guilty, he faces a prison sentence of 1 year, 7 months, and 6 days.
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Money laundering : The second charge pertains to allegations of money laundering. According to the prosecution, Bassam signed an agreement to purchase two apartments in Amin Avenue. The funds were transferred from FAM's dollar account to various companies, eventually being funnelled to Amin Construction. The punishment for this charge ranges from a fine of MVR 100,000 to MVR 1 million and imprisonment for 5 to 15 years.
The prosecution is seeking $1.2 million in damages from Bassam, along with the confiscation of the two apartments allegedly purchased using laundered money.
The Prosecutor General's Office stated that the case is still under active investigation by the police, and further legal actions are being prepared against other FAM employees implicated in the fraudulent scheme. The prosecution assured that evidence will continue to be submitted to the court as the case progresses.
The charges against Bassam have drawn public attention, as they reflect a broader issue of financial accountability within national sports organisations. The alleged misuse of FAM funds has sparked calls for greater transparency and stricter oversight in managing public and institutional finances.
