Bassam sentenced to 23 more years in FIFA funds case
In addition to the sentence imposed in this case, Bassam is currently serving a nine-year prison term in a separate matter.
Former president of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Bassam Adeeel Jaleel, has been sentenced to an additional 23 years in prison in connection with the purchase of a penthouse apartment on Amin Avenue using funds donated to FAM by FIFA.
The case involved multiple defendants. 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 Pvt Ltd was charged with aiding and abetting money laundering.
The Criminal Court on Sunday found Bassam guilty of embezzlement and money laundering. After hearing submissions from both the prosecution and the defence on sentencing, Judge Mohamed Misbah delivered the sentence.
For the embezzlement offence, classified as a felony three degrees higher than the basic sentence, the court sentenced Bassam to eight years’ imprisonment and ordered him to pay USD 1.2 million in damages within six months. For the money laundering offence, the court sentenced him to 15 years in prison, ordered the payment of MVR 44.4 million, and directed the seizure of assets valued at MVR 5.8 million.
On Tuesday, the court ruled that Amin Construction was not guilty in the case. Verdicts relating to Hassan Waheed and Mohamed Agil have yet to be delivered.
In addition to the sentence imposed in this case, Bassam is currently serving a nine-year prison term in a separate matter for depositing USD 10,000 from a FIFA payment made to FAM in 2018 into his personal bank account on 26 August 2018.
