Former President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Bassam Adeel Jaleel, was taken back to jail less than 24 hours after being transferred to house arrest.

Bassam, who was convicted of embezzling FAM funds to buy a luxury apartment, was temporarily transferred to his home after surgery on the medical advice of a doctor, according to the Maldives Correctional Service.

However, he was later transferred to jail after arrangements were made for him to be taken for treatment after surgery, the corrections said.

Bassam was transferred home indefinitely last night (March 16). Less than 24 hours later, he was transferred back to jail amid widespread criticism.

Bassem was charged with fraud and money laundering for using USD 1.2 million from the FAM to pay for a penthouse apartment on Amin Avenue. He was sentenced to 23 years in jail and fined MVR 44 million by the Criminal Court.

He was convicted of embezzlement of FAM funds and sentenced to four years in prison. He was also convicted of money laundering and sentenced to five years in prison. That brings his total prison sentence to 32 years.

There are more cases pending in court alleging that Bassam has embezzled FAM funds.