The hearing in the case against former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel, who faces charges of money laundering and embezzlement related to FAM funds, was canceled today after Mohamed Ageel, former Finance Head of FAM from GA. Gemanafushi, Fehikuri, could not be brought to court despite an arrest order.

Yesterday, the court had scheduled the hearing for 8:30 AM, but Bassam, who is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence, refused to leave his cell because he was required to wear prison uniform and handcuffs when appearing in court. The hearing was postponed to 11:00 AM, at which time Corrections brought Bassam to court in civilian clothes. Bassam is serving his nine-year sentence for embezzling and laundering FIFA funds that were meant for football development in the Maldives.

Ageel, who was also required to attend yesterday's hearing, failed to appear. Consequently, the court issued an arrest warrant ordering the police to bring him to court. However, Ageel was not produced for today's 8:30 AM hearing despite the arrest order.

Due to Ageel's absence, the court canceled today's hearing.

The case also involves charges against a person named Hassan Waheed, who is accused of assisting in money laundering. Additionally, Ameen Construction Company faces charges of assisting in money laundering.

The hearings for all these parties, including Bassam, are being conducted together as a single trial with all defendants present in court.

The current money laundering and embezzlement charges against Bassam relate to his misappropriation of funds during his tenure as FAM President. He is accused of embezzling funds provided by foreign entities to the association, transferring money donated in US dollars to the accounts of FAM executives, associated individuals, and companies, misusing these funds, and engaging in money laundering activities.

The embezzlement charges were filed after Bassam misappropriated USD 1.2 million from FAM to deposit funds for purchasing an apartment at Ameen Avenue of Ameen Construction.

The money laundering charges stem from his signing an agreement to purchase two apartments at Ameen Avenue. Under this agreement, out of the total MVR 23 million (including GST) payable to Ameen Construction, he transferred money from FAM's dollar account to various companies as booking fees, commitment fees, and payment for the apartments, which was then paid to Ameen Construction.