Ex-FAM finance head in graft trial arrested in Bangkok
Police said Ageel was arrested in Bangkok in connection with a visa-related offence.
Former head of the finance department of the Football Association of Maldives, Mohamed Ageel, has been arrested in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ageel has been charged with aiding and abetting money laundering in connection with the purchase of an apartment from Amin Construction by former FAM president Bassam Adeel Jaleel, who is currently serving a prison sentence.
Court proceedings against Ageel had been delayed due to his whereabouts being unknown. The Criminal Court later issued an arrest warrant ordering police to locate and produce him before the court. Following information that Ageel was in Bangkok, police also requested an Interpol red notice.
Police said Ageel was arrested in Bangkok in connection with a visa-related offence. The Maldives Police Service said it is coordinating with Thai authorities to facilitate his return to the Maldives.
On 6 January, the Criminal Court sentenced Bassam Adeel Jaleel to 23 years in prison after finding him guilty of embezzling USD 1 million from the Football Association of Maldives. The court ruled that Amin Construction was not guilty in the case.
The prosecution alleged that the USD 1 million was part of a USD 1.9 million COVID-19 relief loan provided by FIFA to assist football clubs during the pandemic.
Bassam Adeel Jaleel and Amin Construction have maintained that payment for the apartment was made before the Football Association of Maldives received the FIFA loan.
