Bassam Faces Embezzlement, Money Laundering Charges

Former president of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Bassam Adeel Jaleel, faces embezzlement and money laundering allegations following an investigation revealing the misappropriation of USD 10,000 in FIFA funds for personal purposes.

During a press briefing yesterday, Maldives Police Service (MPS) disclosed ongoing investigations involving the misappropriation of funds sent by FIFA to FAM. The probe is delving into individual transactions associated with the case.

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In a formal statement issued on Thursday, the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) announced that charges are being filed against Bassam, comprising one count of embezzlement and one count of money laundering.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO), Bassam stands accused of diverting USD 10,000 in funds transferred by FIFA to FAM in August 2018. Bassam purportedly cited “sale of dollars” as the rationale for transferring the funds from FAM’s account to his personal account at the Bank of Ceylon. 

However, investigators found no evidence indicating that the equivalent amount in MVR was ever deposited into FAM’s account, according to the PGO’s statement.

The investigation further revealed a USD 1,910 transfer to a private bank account in September 2018, with the funds allegedly utilised for expenses related to Glacier Investments, a company in which Bassam holds shares. Additionally, USD 2,000 was reportedly utilised to cover the rent for his apartment at Rehendhi Residence.

Bassam now faces legal repercussions, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year, seven months, and six days for embezzlement, alongside a potential prison term ranging from five to fifteen years for money laundering, with fines ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 1 million.

Further charges may be forthcoming as authorities continue to investigate alleged corruption within FAM, including the purported embezzlement of USD 1.9 million in funds during the Covid-19 pandemic.