Implying Bassam is a criminal is in contempt of court: Criminal Court

The Criminal Court of Maldives today ordered the public to not express sentiments likening President of Football Association of Maldives (FAM) Bassam Adeel Jaleel, who is currently facing charges of fraud and mishandling of FAM funds, to a criminal before being officially convicted of the allegations.

The court's ruling was in response to a request by Bassam, and highlighted that every individual is innocent until proven guilty at a court of law.

As such, the court ordered parties entrusted with upholding and ensuring the rights and freedoms of everyone to refrain from expressing anything that may hinder Bassam's rights before the court makes its ruling.

"[The court] notifies that all such acts can be held in contempt of the court," the ruling said.

The hearing held today with regards to the case ended with the court also maintaining Bassam's exit restrictions from the country in place pending the outcome of the trial.

Bassam is currently charged with misappropriating FAM's funds, while additional allegations are still being investigated by Maldives Police Service.

The probe into Bassam’s alleged indiscretions also resulted in FAM’s office being raided last October.