Some evidence in Bassam's case requested to be kept confidential

The State has appealed to the Criminal Court to hold confidential some of the evidence in the case against former President of Football Association of Maldives (FAM) Bassam Adeel Jaleel.

Bassam is being charged with money laundering and corruption under accusations of having used USD 9,999 (MVR 154,000) and funds granted by FIFA in 2018 to FAM for his personal use through depositing it into his personal bank account.

In yesterday's hearing at the Criminal Court, the State requested that FAM's bank statement and account statements of a number of other individuals to which money had been sent from Bassam's accounts be kept confidential. They said that although they have requested for this evidence to be kept confidential, they have no objections against Bassam's defence team viewing the documents within court premises.

Bassam's lawyer Ibrahim Shameel said that documentation had not earlier indicated that the State had requested for confidentiality in regards to these statements. He asked to view the form submitted by the State requesting this.

Judge Ismail Shafeeu responded that the court would issue a copy of this document today.

Bassam's defence lawyers also claimed earlier that some of the documents submitted by the State are unclear, and requested for new copies. Hence, the Judge granted the opportunity until October 23 to seek these documents by requesting via writing from the Prosecutor General's Office. The Judge said that if the documents are not received by the date, then the matter can be submitted as a pre-trial motion.

The Judge announced that a further hearing in the case will be held later this month, where the defence can respond to the charges.

While this case is ongoing, Police have also ordered Bassam to hand over the flats from Amin Avenue, Hulhumale', that he allegedly bought through FAM funds before the end of the day.

Police reverses decision, Bassam's flats to be seized tomorrow

The Edition