Bassam has appealed against the Hulhumale' Magistrate Court's order to vacate two penthouses he had allegedly purchased through FAM funds in the High Court.
Former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel has appealed to the High Court against the Hulhumale' Magistrate Court's order to vacate two penthouses he had allegedly purchased through FAM funds.
The court had issued the eviction order on September 28, giving Bassam six days to comply. Although he requested an extension from the police to stay until the end of the month, the deadline was adjusted, and he was required to vacate by midnight on Tuesday.
Bassam handed over the penthouses, located in Hulhumale' Lot No. N2-25, Block A, to the police. However, his lawyer has since filed an appeal in the High Court, challenging the magistrate court's decision.
Bassam is alleged to have used USD 1 million from a USD 1.9 million loan provided to FAM by FIFA, to assist local football clubs during the financial difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic, to purchase the penthouses. Police have also reported that the two penthouses were merged into one, which violates building regulations.
According to the police, the funds for the penthouses were paid to Amin Construction, but the Maldivian Rufiyaa equivalent was never transferred to FAM. Documents were allegedly prepared to falsely indicate that FAM had received the payment.
FAM took a loan from a third party company to make it appear as if they had received the local currency, police said.
The police forwarded the case to the Prosecutor General's Office last month, seeking charges against Bassam in connection with the case.