The Criminal Court has ruled that Amin Construction is not guilty of the charges brought against it in the case involving former FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel, who was accused of embezzling FIFA funds to purchase a penthouse at Amin Avenue.

In connection with the FAM corruption scandal, the state had charged Amin Construction with aiding and abetting money laundering. Along with the company, the state also prosecuted Mohamed Aqeel, the former head of FAM’s accounts department, for the same offense. Additionally, a third individual, Hassan Waheed, faced charges of aiding and abetting money laundering in this matter.

Presiding Judge Mohamed Misbah, in today’s hearing, concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against Amin Construction.

The judge noted that while it was established that USD 1.2 million from FAM was deposited into Amin Construction’s accounts for currency exchange, evidence showed that the equivalent Maldivian Rufiyaa was handed over as cash to Hassan Waheed. Although the state claimed that Amin Construction prepared cash vouchers to indicate the funds were returned to FAM, the money never actually entered any of FAM's bank accounts. Amin Construction did not deny receiving the USD from FAM; rather, they maintained that they were not responsible for the funds after they were handed over and denied any direct involvement in paying for Bassam’s apartment with those specific funds.

Despite the acquittal of Amin Construction, the court had previously found Bassam guilty in the same case. The judge emphasized that it was proven that the funds intended for FAM were diverted, and Bassam utilized a corresponding amount to purchase the penthouse.

The court has yet to deliver a verdict regarding the other two defendants, Aqeel and Hassan Waheed.

Bassam Adeel Jaleel is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence following a prior conviction for embezzling USD 10,000 from FAM funds—originally deposited by FIFA—into his personal account on August 26, 2018.