Latest news with #Dutch-Moroccan
Sunday World
24-07-2025
- Sunday World
Drug lord and Kinahan ally jailed for six years over cocaine trafficking
Mink Kok, known as 'The Thinker' was originally arrested in Lebanon in 2022. Mink Kok, Dutch associate of Christy Kinahan Snr, has been jailed for six years by a court in The Hague over the importation of cocaine. Dutch media reports that the drug lord appealled the decision after the Dutch Public Prosecution Service originally sought to put him away in prison for nine years. The appeal resulted in his acquittal of the 'actual importation' of the drugs in question. Kok, however, was found guilty of preparing for the import of 400 kilos of cocaine, alongside the possession of cocaine, as well as preparing a drug lab. Known commonly 'The Thinker', he was arrested in Lebanon in 2022 with his son-in-law, where he stayed for a year. Christy Kinahan Snr Up to February 2016, he had been behind bars in the Middle-East country after a conviction for possession of 53 kilos of cocaine. The convicted kingpin has previously been labelled 'boss of the cocaine world' and is known for having a 'long history' in the criminal underworld. The 400-kilo consignment of cocaine for which Kok was convicted had arrived in 2020 via the port of Antwerp in a consignment of bananas. However, the shipment was somehow mislaid and was eventually found at a supermarket in Remscheid, Germany. The convicted drug trafficker and gun runner had struck up a close working relationship with Christy Kinahan Snr when they were both based in Amsterdam in the 1990s. Veteran Dutch drug lord, Mink Kok News in 90 Seconds - July 24th It is believed the pair worked together to import millions of euro worth of cocaine and ecstasy into Ireland and the UK. Kok's son-in-law, named only as Najim Z, is also accused by the Public Prosecution Service of being behind the importation from South America of two batches of 750 and 840 kilos of cocaine. These were intercepted in 2021 in the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam. According to the justice officials, evidence against Kok stems from intercepted Sky ECC messages. There was no Sky telephone found with Kok when he was arrested, but detectives say that the investigation against Kok started after he admitted to a TV programme that he used Sky telephones to communicate with others. His lawyer previously denied that Kok was the user of the two Sky phones attributed to him. His son-in-law Najim Z (42) was previously sentenced for those two coke shipments in a separate case. He was handed down an eight-year prison sentence minus time spent in pre-detention and a detention period in Lebanon. However, prosecutors have demanded another 12 years in prison against him two weeks ago in the case which is completely separate from that of Kok's. Various media have referred to Najim Z based on various judicial or police sources as a 'leader' in Ridouan Taghi's network. Dutch-Moroccan Taghi is regarded as one of Europe's biggest drugs traffickers and is a key associate of the Kinahan Cartel. He was one of a number of high-profile criminals who were guests at Daniel Kinahan's wedding in Dubai in 2017. Along with a number of his associates, Taghi is currently facing multiple charges ranging from assassinations, attempted killings, and murder plots. Lawyers for Najim Z have previously contested that their client should be considered as 'the financial man' in Taghi's drug network.
CairoScene
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
British Rapper Central Cee to Take Over Riyadh's The Venue July 31st
On July 31st, rapper Central Cee will headline the third week of the AFT_R concert series, joined by R3HAB, Dafencii, Asayel, and Shaolin. British rapper Central Cee is set to perform in Riyadh on July 31st as part of the Esports World Cup's official concert series, AFT_R, held at The Venue. The lineup for the night includes Dutch-Moroccan DJ and producer R3HAB, as well as regional performers Dafencii, Asayel, and Shaolin. Tickets for the Central Cee performance start at SAR 199 and are available via PlatinumList's official website.
Morocco World
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
‘They Always Supported Me': Mohamed Ihattaren Chooses Morocco
Doha – Dutch-Moroccan football prodigy Mohamed Ihattaren has officially decided to represent Morocco at the international level. The 23-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for RKC Waalwijk in the Netherlands, announced his decision to switch allegiance after previously representing the Netherlands in youth categories. In an exclusive interview with Dutch media outlet SportNieuwsNL, Ihattaren confirmed his choice. 'Yes, for me, it will now be the Moroccan team. Morocco has always supported me,' he declared, ending years of speculation about his international future. Born on February 12, 2002, in Utrecht to Moroccan parents, Ihattaren holds dual Moroccan-Dutch nationality. He represented the Netherlands in multiple youth categories (U15, U16, U17, U19) but never made an appearance for the Oranje senior team. The talented midfielder was once considered one of Dutch football's brightest prospects. However, his promising career was derailed by both sporting difficulties and off-field problems, including legal issues in the Netherlands that seriously slowed his progress. Several years ago, Ihattaren emerged as a sensation in Dutch football. At just 17, the left-footed midfielder broke through at PSV Eindhoven, quickly becoming the new star of Dutch football. Despite being heavily courted by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), he initially chose the Netherlands under Ronald Koeman. At the time, a major announcement was made on the Dutch national team's social media channels, in partnership with his sponsor, Nike. Although called up multiple times to the Netherlands squad, he never officially debuted, spending two Nations League matches on the bench. After a promising start to his career, Ihattaren experienced a serious setback due to depression, a downward spiral, his father's death, alleged connections to criminal groups in the Netherlands, and weight problems. His situation became so dire that he considered retirement after nearly three years without playing football. His career has been marked by a series of club changes without playing time – Juventus, Sampdoria, Ajax, and Slavia Prague – all ending in difficult separations. He faced legal cases in the Netherlands, as he was accused of assault and threatening his ex-girlfriend. Since having his contract terminated by Slavia Prague in April, he had temporarily disappeared from the football radar. Last season, RKC Waalwijk took a chance on reviving his career, which proved relatively successful as he rediscovered his joy for football. He contributed 4 goals and 5 assists in 28 Eredivisie matches. Ihattaren now insists he has turned the page: 'I've found the joy of playing again.' This is encouraging news for those who never doubted his raw talent and still hope to see him shine at the highest level. Back in August 2019, then-Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic had already pre-selected him for two friendly matches. Ihattaren did not respond positively at that time. Today, his decision is final. The midfielder was recently spotted attending Glory 100, a kickboxing event where Moroccan-Belgian fighter Jamal Ben Saddik competed. 'I would have liked to see it end differently, but this is also the sports world,' Ihattaren said about Ben Saddik's match against Sofian Laïdouni. 'Sometimes it can end like this. But for me, he remains a winner.' Regarding his club future, Ihattaren remains open to possibilities. 'The Netherlands would be great, but Belgium is also not far from where I currently am. You never know what the future holds in football. The interest must be real, and they need to reach an agreement with my agent. Until then, I'll see what comes my way. I believe every step is the right one for me,' he explained. While he works to stabilize his club situation, his choice to represent Morocco's Atlas Lions could reinvigorate his career. It remains to be seen whether current Morocco coach Walid Regragui will offer him an opportunity in the national team. Tags: Atlas Lionsmohamed ihattarenMoroccan national footbal team
Daily Tribune
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Grand Prix 2025 Set to Rock with Star-Studded Concert Lineup
As Bahrain gears up to host the 2025 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from April 11 to 13, the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), known as "The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East", has announced a vibrant lineup of concerts as part of the entertainment extravaganza accompanying the race weekend. Taking place at the Formula 1 Village behind the Main Grandstand, the entertainment program will feature three nights of major concerts, each beginning at 9:30 PM, following the on-track racing action. These performances are open to all ticket holders at no extra charge, offering a dynamic fusion of motorsport and world-class music. 🌟 Headlining Acts: Friday, April 11: R3HAB – The multi-platinum Dutch-Moroccan DJ and producer, known for his global hits and collaborations, will ignite the stage with his signature electronic beats. Saturday, April 12: Peggy Gou – The internationally acclaimed DJ and pop icon will bring her genre-blending sounds to Bahrain, riding high on chart-topping singles across multiple countries. Sunday, April 13: Axwell – The Grammy-nominated producer and former member of Swedish House Mafia will close out the weekend with an electrifying performance, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Formula 1. Beyond the concerts, BIC has planned a packed schedule of family-friendly entertainment throughout the Grand Prix weekend, turning the event into a memorable outing for fans of all ages. 🎵 Artist Highlights: R3HAB has garnered over 12 billion streams globally, including 1.1 billion in 2024 alone. Consistently ranked in the Top 20 of DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs since 2017, he boasts over 100 certifications in platinum, diamond, and gold. Peggy Gou is a trailblazer in electronic and pop music, with international acclaim and top-charting singles. Axwell has earned two Grammy nominations and has been featured nine times in DJ Mag's Top 100 list. He's also a four-time winner of DJ Awards, cementing his global influence in the music industry. The 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix will not only host the fourth round of this year's Formula 1 World Championship but also double as a celebration of F1's 75th anniversary, offering an unforgettable weekend of speed, sound, and spectacle. 🎫 Tickets & Hospitality: Fans can secure their tickets and hospitality packages – including the Dome Lounge – through BIC's outlets at Bahrain City Centre or via the official website For more information, call the BIC hotline at +973 17450000.
CairoScene
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Eslam Jawaad Dreams of Arab Unity on Heartfelt Anthem ‘Umaton Wa7ida'
Released on the MENA-focused collective ARXP Cartel, the track sees Jawaad delivering raw bars in rapid flows with absolute assertiveness. Mar 04, 2025 Lebanese-Syrian rapper Eslam Jawaad returns with a new single 'Umaton Wa7ida', a powerful anthem calling for the unity of the Arab nation. Released under the MENA-focused collective ARXP Cartel, the track features Cilvaringz, a Dutch-Moroccan record producer and rapper who is associated with the Wu-Tang Clan, and is known for producing the world's most expensive music album, 'Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time in Shaolin'. Against the background of a hard-hitting beat, Jawaad delivers raw bars in the vernacular Syrian dialect in rapid flows with absolute assertiveness. The track is accompanied by an AI-generated music video, depicting life in a war-torn Syria during Ramadan. Despite the signs of destruction, the video emphasises unwavering resilience and hope for an indefinite Arab unity, using cultural motifs that highlight the country's heritage and roots as a reminder of the beauty of Syria.
