The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has charged President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) Bassam Adeel Jaleel with embezzlement and money laundering.
The two charges were filed following accusations that officials had misappropriated funds given to FAM. The PGO stated that the case is being investigated by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and that more charges will be filed as the case progresses.
The PGO stated that FAM President Bassam was charged with embezzlement for depositing USD10,004 from the FAM account into his own account between July and August 2018. The were provided by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to be used for FAM's activities.
Additionally, the PGO stated that Bassam is charged with money laundering for transferring USD1,910 of the deposited funds to another person’s account on Sept 2, 2018, and using it for the affairs of Glacier Investments, a company in which he has a stake. He is also accused of using USD2,000 of the deposited funds to pay rent for his apartment at Rehendhi Flat. The deposited money was also transferred to different individuals and used for personal purposes.
Bassam faces up to one year, seven months and six days in prison if convicted of embezzlement and a prison term of five to 15 years with a fine between USD6,500 and USD65,000 if convicted of money laundering.