While the High Court’s Registrar declined to accept Bassam's appeal against the lower court's decision, the reason for this rejection has not been disclosed. Bassam has the option to appeal the Registrar's decision to the High Court bench.
High Court has rejected the appeal filed by former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel regarding the seizure of two penthouses he allegedly purchased using the association’s funds.
Earlier this month, Bassam handed over the two penthouses to the police, complying with an order from the Hulhumale' Magistrate Court.
While the High Court’s Registrar declined to accept Bassam's appeal against the lower court's decision, the reason for this rejection has not been disclosed. Bassam has the option to appeal the Registrar's decision to the High Court bench.
The registrar's decision can be appealed to the High Court's bench.
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.
Amin Construction, FAM's then finance head Mohamed Ageel and Hassan Waheed, who worked for the association at the time, were also charged in the case. There are other cases pending in the Criminal Court against Bassam for alleged embezzlement of FAM funds.
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