PGO to Appeal Acquittal of Amin Construction in Bassam Penthouse Case

The Criminal Court acquitted Amin Construction of criminal charges related to the sale of two penthouses to former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel. Bassam was convicted of corruption and money laundering for embezzling USD 1.2 million from FIFA funds intended as a COVID-19 relief loan for football clubs. The prosecution argued that Bassam used these funds to purchase the penthouses from Amin Construction, charging the company with aiding in money laundering. However, Judge Mohamed Misbah ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the funds were used for the purchase, leading to Amin Construction's acquittal. The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) deemed the acquittal unlawful, given Bassam's conviction, and plans to appeal the decision.