Bassam's case: State appeals ruling characterizing transaction as currency exchange to High Court
The Prosecutor General's Office has appealed the Criminal Court's ruling that a $1 million check from the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) was not used to purchase apartments from Amin Avenue. Contending that the lower court violated legal principles in its evaluation of evidence by classifying the transaction as a simple currency exchange, the PG Office has requested the High Court to remand the case for a retrial to re-examine witness testimony and determine if the transaction constitutes money laundering.
FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel. | FAM | FAM
The Prosecutor General’s Office has filed an appeal with the High Court regarding a $1 million transaction involving former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel, as part of an ongoing money laundering case against him.
The Prosecutor General’s Office stated that while the Criminal Court found Bassam guilty of money laundering, the court ruled it was not proven that a $1 million FAM check was used to purchase apartments at Amin Avenue 2 from Amin Construction. Instead, the court concluded that the funds were part of a legitimate currency exchange transaction between FAM and Amin Construction.
The Prosecutor General’s Office stated its position that the presiding judge’s determination—characterizing the check as a currency exchange transaction—was based on an unlawful assessment of the evidence. Furthermore, the PG Office maintains that the judge’s decision to exclude the testimony of several key oral witnesses presented by the prosecution was also a violation of legal procedures.
The office stated that this specific portion of the case has consequently been appealed at the High Court.
The Prosecutor General’s Office stated that it has requested the High Court to remand the case to the lower court. The request seeks to retake testimony from all witnesses presented to prove that portion of the charges, re-evaluate all submitted evidence, and issue a fresh ruling on whether the transaction involving the check constitutes an act of money laundering.
The Prosecutor General’s Office stated that the pending appeal will not affect the existing money laundering conviction against Bassam. This is because the conviction involves various other checks and funds belonging to the FAM, and the specific determination that those funds were laundered has not been challenged in this appeal, according to the PG Office.
The Prosecutor General's Office appealed to the High Court on March 2, 2026, regarding the lower court's decision to acquit Amin Construction of charges related to aiding and abetting money laundering in connection with this check.
