Fugitive FAM finance chief nabbed in Bangkok as embezzlement probe closes in

Mohamed Ageel, the former Head of the Finance Department at the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), has been arrested in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ageel faces charges linked to a major corruption scandal involving the country’s football governing body.

A court order had previously been issued directing police to take Ageel into custody and present him before the presiding judge.

The order was issued in connection with obtaining witness testimony in the ongoing embezzlement investigation involving former FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel.

In addition to being sought as a witness, Ageel is also facing criminal charges for aiding and abetting money laundering.

Reports state that Ageel was initially detained by Thai authorities for a visa violation. Following his detention, the relevant authorities in Thailand informed the Maldives Police Service (MPS), as an Interpol Red Notice had already been issued against him. Further details regarding the circumstances of the arrest have not yet been made public.

The charges against Ageel for aiding money laundering arise from an investigation into the misappropriation of FAM funds, which were allegedly used by Bassam Adeel Jaleel to purchase a luxury apartment from Amin Construction.

Legal proceedings against Ageel had previously been delayed due to his whereabouts being unknown, leading the court to order police to locate him and produce him for trial.

This comes at a time former FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel is already serving a 23-year prison sentence after being convicted on multiple counts of embezzlement and money laundering involving funds provided by FIFA.

The current case against Bassam concerns the alleged misappropriation of UD 1.2 million, equivalent to over MVR 18 million, sent to FAM by FIFA. In this ongoing case, Bassam also faces charges of embezzlement and money laundering.