Former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President, Bassam Adeel Jaleel, has asked the Criminal Court for additional time to hire a defense lawyer to represent him in his ongoing embezzlement case.
Bassam faces charges of money laundering and fraud, accused of misusing FAM funds that were provided by FIFA. Authorities allege that some of the money was used to purchase a luxury penthouse in Amin Avenue, constructed by Amin Construction.
During a hearing today, Bassam told the court that he had been trying to secure legal representation but had not yet succeeded. He requested more time to find a lawyer before proceeding with the trial.
Despite his request, the judge decided to continue with the preliminary phase of the trial due to the prolonged nature of the case. A follow-up hearing has been scheduled later this month, giving Bassam a 10-day window to appoint a lawyer. The judge warned that if he fails to do so within that time, he will have to respond to the charges without legal counsel.
The charges stem from Bassam’s alleged involvement in an agreement to purchase an eight-bedroom, ten-bathroom penthouse covering the 12th and 13th floors of Block A in Amin Avenue. Prosecutors claim that he transferred money from his dollar account through several companies to pay Amin Construction for the property.
If found guilty of fraud, Bassam could face a prison sentence of one year, seven months, and six days. Money laundering charges carry heavier penalties, including fines ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 1 million, and imprisonment between five and fifteen years.
In addition to criminal penalties, the prosecution is seeking MVR 1.2 million in damages and a claim over the penthouse, which is allegedly purchased using misappropriated funds.
This case is separate from another trial in the Criminal Court involving similar allegations of fraud and money laundering linked to FIFA funds. In that case, all witnesses have completed their testimonies. A hearing to review evidence is scheduled for the 23rd of this month, followed by a summary statement hearing on the 29th. The court is expected to deliver a verdict shortly afterward.
Bassam’s situation is further complicated by the fact that the lawyers initially representing him have withdrawn from the case, leaving him without legal counsel at a critical stage.
