Amin Construction acquitted in FIFA funds case
In its ruling, the court said the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against Amin Construction.
The Criminal Court on Tuesday acquitted Amin Construction Pvt Ltd in a case concerning the purchase of an apartment on Amin Avenue by former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) president Bassam Adeeel Jaleel, using funds donated to FAM by FIFA.
The prosecution charged several defendants in the case. Former FAM finance head Mohamed Agil of Fehikuri, GA. Gemanafushi, and Hassan Waheed of M. Hirinaidhoo were charged with aiding and abetting money laundering. Bassam was charged with embezzlement and money laundering, while Amin Construction was charged with aiding and abetting money laundering.
In its ruling, the court said the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against Amin Construction.
Evidence presented to the court included vouchers indicating that FAM received MVR 15.4 million in cash instead of the USD 1 million transferred to Amin Construction. The prosecution argued that the vouchers were invalid but did not provide a basis for that claim. The court said the evidence showed that the money was received by FAM and handed over to Hassan Waheed.
The judge ruled that Amin Construction was not involved in the purchase of the penthouse using FAM funds and acquitted the company. Bassam was found guilty in the case. The court said the funds received by FAM were not used by Amin Construction to purchase the apartment.
The court has yet to deliver verdicts on the remaining defendants. Proceedings relating to Amin Construction were also adjourned earlier to allow the court to consider how to proceed.
Bassam is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence in a separate case for depositing USD 10,000 from a FIFA payment made to FAM in 2018 into his personal bank account on 26 August 2018.
