Dubai sends two Antwerp criminals back to Belgium

Dubai has extradited two men from Antwerp to Belgium in recent days, Belgian prosecutors have confirmed. Both are now in prison. Their return brings the total number of suspects or convicted criminals sent back from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to 12 in recent years.

One is 46-year-old Nordin El Ballouti, brother of convicted drug trafficker Othman El Ballouti. He was sentenced in late 2024 to seven years in prison for cocaine smuggling through the port of Antwerp and membership of a criminal gang. After his arrest in April in the UAE, he has now been flown to Belgium and jailed in Haren.

The second man, 31-year-old jeweller Rafael K, was convicted in 2023 for dealing in stolen gold and jewellery through his Antwerp shop. The items had been stolen in France and quickly resold or melted down. He still faces another money-laundering case.

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Belgium and the UAE signed an extradition treaty in 2021, and officials say cooperation has since improved. Prosecutors say the partnership is helping the fight against organised crime. Many major targets, however, have since left Dubai, though one suspected drug boss is still awaiting a court decision there.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Dubai © AFP PHOTO/MARWAN NAAMANI}

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