Court bars transactions on 2 apartments linked to Bassam's FAM graft
In its ruling, the High Court noted that a similar restriction had been imposed during proceedings at the Criminal Court.
Top Stories
The High Court has issued an injunction prohibiting any transactions involving two apartments purchased by former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel, pending the outcome of an appeal concerning an alleged money laundering case.
The order was issued on Wednesday as part of proceedings relating to the acquittal of Amin Construction on charges of aiding and abetting money laundering connected to the alleged embezzlement of FAM funds.
The case centres on allegations that Bassam purchased two apartments in the Amin Avenue development using funds misappropriated from grants provided by FIFA to FAM.
While the Criminal Court found Bassam guilty in the case, it ruled that the charges against Amin Construction had not been proven.
The Prosecutor General's Office appealed that decision and requested the High Court to prevent any transactions involving the two apartments until the appeal is concluded.
In its ruling, the High Court noted that a similar restriction had been imposed during proceedings at the Criminal Court.
The court stated that any transaction affecting the ownership or status of the apartments before a final decision is reached could hinder the state's ability to obtain the remedy it is seeking through the appeal.
As a result, the court ordered that no transactions, including any transfer of ownership, be carried out in relation to the two apartments unless the court decides otherwise.
In the original case, Criminal Court Judge Ibrahim Mohamed Misbah ruled that the allegations against Amin Construction were not proven. The judgment cited evidence indicating that the company had provided MVR 15.4 million in cash to FAM in exchange for the USD 1 million it received.
However, the prosecution maintains that USD 1 million belonging to FAM was used to purchase the two apartments from Amin Construction.
According to the state, the company did not return the equivalent amount in Maldivian rufiyaa to FAM and instead created documents suggesting such a payment had been made.
The prosecution further alleges that the USD 1 million originated from a USD 1.9 million COVID-19 relief loan provided by FIFA to FAM to support football clubs affected by the pandemic.
Bassam and Amin Construction have denied the allegations and maintain that payments for the apartments were completed before FAM received the FIFA loan funds.
The appeal remains pending before the High Court.
