Bassam cites Qur’an verses ahead of verdict

Former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) president Bassam Adeel Jaleel cited two verses from the Qur’an in court today, moments before a verdict is expected in a case accusing him of embezzling USD 1.2 million ( MVR 19 million) provided by FIFA.

The remarks came during the final hearing at the Criminal Court, following the prosecution’s summary of charges against Bassam, who is already serving a nine-year prison sentence for fraud and money laundering in two previous cases.

Addressing the court in his final statement, Bassam said he wished to remind those present of verses from the Qur’an. He cited verse 26 of Surah Sad, which calls on those in authority to judge with justice and not be led by desire, and verse 19 of Surah Fatir, which contrasts light and darkness, and truth and falsehood.

Bassam’s lawyer argued that the prosecution had failed to establish whether the FIFA funds had been embezzled or misused, saying that none of FIFA's audits had identified any financial loss. He also questioned whether police could lawfully investigate the matter without FIFA's consent.

Prosecutors allege that Bassam used the funds, which were provided to FAM as Covid-19 relief, to purchase two penthouse apartments at Amin Avenue. He has been charged with fraud and money laundering, while Hassan Waheed and Mohamed Ageel, the former head of finance at Amin Construction and FAM, are accused of aiding and abetting money laundering.

Bassam has denied owning the penthouses, saying he does not hold any real estate in his name. However, prosecutors have said the purchase agreement was signed by Bassam, and that he lived in an apartment formed by combining the two units.

Criminal Court previously ordered the property to be handed over to police as evidence, and it was taken into custody in October last year. Bassam appealed the order, but the High Court declined to hear the appeal.