The Prosecutor General’s Office has appealed a Criminal Court ruling that cleared Ameen Construction Pvt Ltd of money laundering charges linked to the purchase of a penthouse at Amin Avenue by former Football Association of Maldives president Bassam Adeel Jaleel.

A media official from the Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed that part of the case against Bassam has been submitted to the High Court of the Maldives.

Ameen Construction was charged with aiding and abetting money laundering but was found not guilty by the Criminal Court on January 6.

The Prosecutor General’s Office stated that the Criminal Court failed to consider testimony from most state witnesses and evaluated evidence in violation of legal procedures.

The state has asked the High Court to overturn the lower court’s ruling and send the case back for reconsideration. It has also requested a temporary injunction under Article 51 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act to halt related transactions in the Maldives.