Bassam said exchanged dollar funds not deposited into FAM account: Jawaz
Jawaz's testimony was part of a case concerning allegations that Bassam Adeel Jaleel and others made a payment of $1 million to Amin Construction.
Former FAM Secretary General Hussain Jawaz testified on Sunday in the ongoing trial of former FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel, stating that the Finance Department and Jaleel had confirmed that despite receiving Maldivian Rufiyaa in exchange for a $1 million cheque issued to Amin Construction, the Rufiyaa was not deposited into the account.
Jawaz's testimony was part of a case concerning allegations that Bassam Adeel Jaleel and others made a payment of $1 million to Amin Construction to purchase two penthouses. The charges in the case include:
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Former FAM Finance Head Mohamed Agil, Fehikuri/GA. Gemanafushi, charged with aiding and abetting money laundering.
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Hassan Waheed, M. Hirinaidhoo, charged with aiding and abetting money laundering.
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Bassam Adeel Jaleel, charged with embezzlement and money laundering.
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Amin Construction Pvt Ltd, charged with aiding and abetting money laundering.
During the trial, Jawaz was presented as a prosecution witness. He explained that he remembered receiving the $1 million from FIFA’s COVID-19 relief loan, which was intended to provide financial assistance to clubs. Jawaz confirmed that the money had been distributed to the clubs.
He further testified that he signed the $1 million cheque for Amin Construction and inquired about the exchange of dollars for Maldivian Rufiyaa. Jawaz said that when he questioned Bassam and Agil about the transaction, both stated they received the funds in cash. When asked if the money was deposited into the FAM account, they both replied that it was not.
Jawaz noted that following the incident, he resigned from his position at FAM.
Additional points mentioned by Jawaz included the FAM’s usual practice of handling transactions in dollars, as it pays salaries and administrative expenses in Maldivian Rufiyaa. He explained that if salaries were delayed, companies would sometimes take Maldivian Rufiyaa loans and remit the dollars to the companies once FAM received them.
He also stated that cash received in dollars is typically deposited into the FAM account immediately on the day of receipt. However, he noted that no specific rule mandates the timeline for such deposits.
The prosecution alleges that the $1 million payment was part of a $1.9 million COVID-19 relief loan from FIFA, intended to assist clubs during the financial crisis caused by the pandemic.
