Prosecutor General Files Corruption Charges Against Former FAM President

The Prosecutor General has pressed charges against Mr. Bassam Adeel Jaleel, the former President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), for corruption and financial misconduct involving embezzlement and money laundering.

Mr. Bassam is accused of embezzling USD 1.2 million of FIFA funds allocated for football development. Investigations revealed that these funds were diverted for personal use, including the purchase of a luxury penthouse in Amin Avenue, Hulhumalé, valued at MVR 25 million.

The charges include theft by failing to deliver entrusted funds under Section 215 of the Penal Code and money laundering under Section 53 of the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act.

The Prosecutor General has requested the court to recover the embezzled USD 1.2 million and confiscate the MVR 25 million penthouse purchased with the illicit funds.

This is not the first corruption case against Mr. Bassam. Earlier this year, he was charged with similar offenses, and that case remains ongoing. Authorities have indicated that further charges may be filed against him and other officials implicated in the misuse of FAM funds.