Bassam again transferred to house arrest on medical board’s recommendation

Bassam Adeel Jaleel, former President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), has once again been transferred to house arrest.

Maldives Correctional Service’s media official told Sun that the decision to transfer Bassam to house arrest was made due to his health condition, based on the recommendation of the Medical Board.

The official confirmed that the transfer is temporary but did not disclose how long the arrangement would remain in effect.

Bassam was previously transferred to house arrest on March 16 this year. However, his release prompted significant public criticism, as he is currently serving prison sentences totaling 32 years for multiple corruption-related convictions.

Following the public backlash, Bassam was returned to prison less than 24 hours later. At the time, the Maldives Correctional Service said the temporary transfer had been carried out on medical advice following surgery he had undergone and was in accordance with established regulations. He was subsequently returned to prison after the necessary post-operative care facilities were arranged within the correctional facility.

During his tenure as FAM President, Bassam was accused of embezzling substantial sums belonging to the association. The prosecution alleged that he used the misappropriated funds to purchase an apartment in Hulhumalé.

Bassam’s current prison sentences include four years for embezzlement of FAM funds, five years for money laundering, and 23 years for misappropriating FIFA funds allocated as COVID-19 relief loans for football clubs.