PG to appeal acquittal of Amin Construction in FIFA funds case
Bassam was convicted and sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment in connection with the purchase of a penthouse apartment on Amin Avenue.
The Prosecutor General’s Office on Tuesday said it considers the acquittal of Amin Construction Pvt Ltd in the case involving former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) president Bassam Adeeel Jaleel to be unlawful and intends to appeal the decision.
Bassam was convicted and sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment in connection with the purchase of a penthouse apartment on Amin Avenue using funds donated to FAM by FIFA. The Criminal Court acquitted Amin Construction on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Prosecutor General’s Office said the court had ruled that the charges against Amin Construction were not proven. The office said it plans to appeal the decision relating to the company at the High Court.
The statement said a final decision on filing the appeal would be taken after the Prosecutor General’s Office receives and reviews the full judgment issued by the Criminal Court.
During earlier proceedings, the court had adjourned the case against Amin Construction to consider how to proceed, as the charges involved a corporate defendant.
Bassam is also serving a separate nine-year prison sentence for depositing USD 10,000 from a FIFA payment made to FAM in 2018 into his personal bank account on 26 August 2018.
