Latest news with #OthmanElBallouti
UAE Moments
14-07-2025
- UAE Moments
Dubai Hands Over Three Most-Wanted Belgian Crime Bosses
Dubai Police have officially extradited three high-profile criminal suspects—Mathias Akyazili, Giorgi Faes, and Othman El Ballouti—to Belgian authorities, following a major international operation involving Interpol and Europol. All three were flagged as 'most-wanted' for crimes ranging from drug smuggling to human trafficking. The arrests were carried out in coordination with global law enforcement agencies and were based on Interpol red notices. Dubai Media Office confirmed on Sunday that the suspects were handed over after full legal and judicial formalities were completed by the UAE Ministry of Justice and the Dubai Court of Cassation. 'These extraditions reflect the UAE's unwavering support for global justice,' said Dubai Police, reinforcing their stance on fighting transnational organized crime. Who are these suspects? Othman El Ballouti, one of the extradited men, is no stranger to international headlines. In 2023, he was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for allegedly overseeing a massive drug network that smuggled cocaine through Belgium's Port of Antwerp. He had already been sentenced in absentia to seven years for trafficking 840kg of cocaine. Meanwhile, Akyazili and Faes are also facing charges for operating a criminal gang, robbery, and trafficking narcotics and humans. How it went down The extradition process kicked off after Belgium submitted an international arrest warrant to the UAE's Ministry of Justice. The final transfer followed court rulings in Dubai and strict compliance with legal procedures under the UAE-Belgium extradition treaty, which has been in effect since November 2022. Belgium reacts Abdullah Al Nuaimi, the UAE's Minister of Justice, held a phone call with his Belgian counterpart, Annelies Verlinden, after the suspects landed in Belgium. Both praised the success of this cross-border collaboration and emphasized their countries' shared commitment to fighting organized crime. This extradition is the latest in a growing list of successful international cooperation cases involving Dubai Police. As global crime syndicates become more complex, Dubai seems determined to play a leading role in dismantling them—one red notice at a time. TL;DR: Dubai Police just flexed their international crime-fighting muscles again—three major Belgian gang figures are now off Dubai's streets and facing justice back home. Dubai Police arrests and extradited to authorities in Belgium three prime suspects wanted in that country in connection with cases of cross-border organised crime. The trio were listed in the most wanted category by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice)
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
What made the extradition of Europe's ‘Cocaine King' Othman El Ballouti from UAE possible? Extradition law explained
Othman El Ballouti, Europe's 'Cocaine King,' was extradited from the UAE to Belgium following his December 2024 arrest and UAE-Belgium treaty cooperation./ Image: X Dubai Media Office, Dubai Police TL;DR In July 2025, the UAE extradited Othman El Ballouti , dubbed the 'Cocaine King,' to Belgium, along with two other high-profile criminals. El Ballouti was wanted for orchestrating large-scale cocaine trafficking through the Port of Antwerp and was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2023. The extradition was carried out under the 2021 UAE-Belgium treaty, highlighting the UAE's growing cooperation in international law enforcement. In a major advance in international anti-narcotics efforts, authorities in the United Arab Emirates have extradited Othman El Ballouti, one of Europe's most sought-after drug traffickers, to Belgium. The 38-year-old Belgian-Moroccan national, often referred to by investigators as the 'Cocaine King,' was transferred into Belgian custody in July 2025, several months after his arrest in Dubai in December 2024. His extradition was part of a broader international operation that also saw the handover of two other high-profile suspects, Matthias Akyazili and Georgi Faes, according to an announcement by the Dubai Media Office on Sunday. The move was made possible through a bilateral extradition agreement signed between the UAE and Belgium in 2021. El Ballouti, who was on Interpol and Europol's most wanted lists, is accused of orchestrating large-scale cocaine shipments into Europe through the Port of Antwerp, Belgium's largest seaport and a major entry point for drugs from South America. His arrest was part of a coordinated international operation involving UAE law enforcement agencies and judicial cooperation bodies, including the Ministry of Justice's International Cooperation Department, which oversees extradition requests. The UAE's decision to approve his extradition marks a new phase in El Ballouti's prosecution and demonstrates the country's increasing role in cross-border law enforcement collaboration. With formal extradition procedures completed, Belgian authorities are preparing to take custody of a man long considered central to Europe's narcotics crisis. The Arrest in Dubai and the Path to Extradition Othman El Ballouti was arrested in Dubai in December 2024, after an Interpol Red Notice was circulated internationally at Belgium's request. He had evaded authorities for several years, operating from abroad while allegedly managing a criminal organization responsible for importing vast quantities of cocaine into Europe. His arrest came after months of surveillance and intelligence sharing between Belgian authorities and the UAE. Once located in the UAE, a targeted operation was carried out by Dubai Police in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Justice, which later referred the case to the Dubai Public Prosecution for legal proceedings related to his extradition. El Ballouti is accused of controlling a drug trafficking network that smuggled commercial-scale quantities of cocaine concealed within shipping containers arriving from South America. These containers passed through Antwerp's port, which recorded a record 116 tonnes of cocaine seizures in 2023 alone, a figure emblematic of the scale of the European cocaine trade. His criminal enterprise reportedly extended well beyond Belgium. In 2023, the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on El Ballouti for running an "international criminal organization" involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. The sanctions also targeted his younger brother and another close associate, effectively freezing their US-based assets and cutting them off from the international financial system. The US Treasury noted that El Ballouti's network was responsible for facilitating the movement of cocaine across multiple jurisdictions and laundering illicit proceeds through a complex web of international channels. These sanctions significantly increased pressure on law enforcement worldwide to locate and detain him. Tragically, El Ballouti's name has also been tied to violence in Antwerp, which has seen a rise in drug-related shootings linked to turf wars. In one such incident, his 11-year-old niece was killed in a shooting, further fueling public concern over the escalating drug war in the city. Belgian media have since tied the event to feuds between rival criminal organizations with connections to drug trafficking operations in the port. After his arrest in December 2024, Belgian authorities promptly initiated formal extradition proceedings under a bilateral treaty signed with the UAE in 2021 to strengthen cooperation in criminal cases. In July 2025, UAE authorities approved the request, and El Ballouti has since been extradited to Belgium, where he will face prosecution for his alleged role in a vast international drug trafficking network. Understanding Extradition in the UAE: Laws, Procedures, and International Cooperation The extradition of Othman El Ballouti from the UAE to Belgium has drawn attention to the country's legal mechanisms for handling international criminal cooperation. As a growing hub of international commerce and transit, the UAE has developed a structured, legally robust framework for dealing with extradition requests, both incoming and outgoing, in compliance with global norms. What Is Extradition? Extradition is a legal process in which one country formally surrenders an individual to another country where the person is wanted, either for trial or to serve a sentence for a criminal offense. This international judicial cooperation helps ensure that individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes cannot evade justice by crossing borders. Legal Framework Governing Extradition in the UAE Extradition in the UAE is governed by a combination of domestic laws, bilateral and multilateral treaties, and international cooperation mechanisms. Key Legal Instruments: Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 on Mutual Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters Federal Decree Law No. 28 of 2023, which introduced recent amendments to strengthen the framework Bilateral Extradition Treaties with individual countries, including Belgium Multilateral Agreements, such as: The Riyadh Arab Convention on Judicial Cooperation (1983), signed by Arab states including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen INTERPOL Membership, the UAE is one of 196 member countries of INTERPOL and complies with international alerts like Red Notices UAE-Belgium Extradition Agreement In December 2021, the UAE and Belgium signed two key agreements: An Extradition Treaty A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty These treaties provide the legal basis for extraditing individuals wanted in either country and facilitate cooperation in criminal investigations, evidence sharing, and prosecution. Extradition Process in the UAE: Step-by-Step The UAE follows a five-stage process for handling extradition requests, ensuring both legal compliance and the protection of individual rights. The process also allows for judicial review and appeals. 1. Alert and Submission of Request The process typically begins with an Interpol Red Notice or a direct extradition request from the foreign country via diplomatic channels. The request must include: The individual's identity Details of the alleged crime The legal grounds for extradition Any supporting evidence 2. Review by UAE Authorities The UAE Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of Interior, and the UAE Interpol authorities review the request. They assess whether the extradition meets several conditions: Is the person a UAE citizen? Does the offense qualify as extraditable under UAE law? Does the dual criminality principle apply (i.e., is the act also a crime in the UAE)? Note: While dual criminality is respected, the law allows extradition even if the elements or name of the crime differ, as long as the core offense is punishable. 3. Judicial Review by UAE Courts If the authorities approve the request, the case is referred to the UAE Court of Appeal, which holds a hearing to determine: Whether due process is followed If the individual's human rights would be at risk Whether the legal system of the requesting country is fair and just If all formal and procedural conditions are met The decision can be appealed to the Court of Cassation, the UAE's highest judicial body 4. Final Ruling by the Ministry of Justice If the courts rule in favor of extradition, the Ministry of Justice issues the final decision. The ruling becomes binding and paves the way for the handover. 5. Transfer and Extraction The individual is formally handed over to the requesting country's authorities via diplomatic and law enforcement channels. Transfer is coordinated securely and legally. Grounds for Denying Extradition Under Article 9 of the UAE Extradition Law, several specific legal grounds can be used to refuse an extradition request: The person is a UAE national (the UAE does not extradite its citizens but can prosecute them domestically for crimes committed abroad). The UAE has jurisdiction over the crime The offense is political in nature (except terrorism, genocide, war crimes, or crimes against the state) The offense is military in nature The extradition is sought for persecution based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinion The individual is already being investigated or tried in the UAE for the same offense The individual has already been convicted or acquitted in the UAE The offense is time-barred under UAE law There is a risk of torture, inhumane treatment, or disproportionate punishment in the requesting state General Legal Requirements for Extradition Requests The UAE may accept an extradition request if the following conditions are met: The offense is punishable by at least one year of imprisonment under the requesting country's law If already convicted, the individual must have at least six months of their sentence remaining The act does not need to be defined identically under UAE law The name or label of the offense does not need to match exactly between both jurisdictions UAE's Growing Role in Global Judicial Cooperation The UAE has increasingly established itself as a cooperative partner in combating transnational crime. Backed by a strong legal framework, a wide network of bilateral treaties with countries such as Belgium, France, the UK, India, the US, China, Australia, Spain, Iran, Egypt, and others, and a commitment to judicial independence, the UAE is well-equipped to handle complex extradition cases. This robust system enables swift and lawful responses to international criminal threats, as demonstrated by the high-profile extradition of Othman El Ballouti. FAQs: Q Who is Othman El Ballouti? He is a Belgian-Moroccan drug trafficker, nicknamed the 'Cocaine King,' accused of smuggling large quantities of cocaine into Europe via Antwerp. Q. When and where was he arrested? He was arrested in Dubai in December 2024 after an Interpol Red Notice was issued by Belgian authorities. Q. When was he extradited to Belgium? El Ballouti was extradited from the UAE to Belgium in July 2025 following formal legal proceedings. Q. What made this extradition possible? A bilateral extradition treaty signed between the UAE and Belgium in 2021 allowed for his legal handover after judicial and ministerial approvals. Q. What are the UAE's extradition laws based on? They are governed by Federal Law No. 39 of 2006 (amended in 2023), international treaties, and include conditions such as non-extradition of UAE nationals and human rights protections.
Emirates 24/7
14-07-2025
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai Police arrest, extradite fugitive trio sought over cross-border organised crime to Belgium
Dubai Police have arrested and extradited to authorities in Belgium three prime suspects wanted in that country in connection with cases of cross-border organised crime. The trio were listed in the most wanted category by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol). The three Belgian nationals were held based on INTERPOL red notices issued against them in an operation that showcased Dubai Police's close coordination with international law enforcement agencies. The three suspects, Mathias Akyazili, Giorgi Faes, and Othman El Ballouti, face several serious criminal charges, including operating a notorious gang, trafficking narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, committing robbery, and engaging in human trafficking. Their extradition comes after Dubai Police, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, launched a thorough investigation led by the General Department of Criminal Investigation, acting upon an international arrest warrant submitted by Belgian authorities to the International Cooperation Department at the UAE Ministry of Justice, the designated central authority for facilitating international cooperation requests. All required legal and judicial formalities were duly complied with before proceeding with the extradition request. Dubai Police affirmed that its swift intervention in such cases reflects its commitment to building bridges of cooperation with law enforcement agencies around the world and effectively combating all forms of transnational organised crime. Such coordinated efforts also support the strengthening of a strong global security framework that confronts criminal activity with full force while promoting the exchange of international expertise and best practices in policing, thereby ensuring enhanced safety and security for communities in every corner of the world. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Business Recorder
14-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Alleged organised crime links: UAE extradites 3 suspects to Belgium
DUBAI: Police in Dubai said three individuals accused of a litany of crimes, including drugs and human trafficking, were extradited to Belgium, authorities said on Sunday. Officials said the three suspects had been wanted in Belgium in connection with cases of 'cross-border organised crime'. In December, reports first surfaced that one of Belgium's most wanted international drug traffickers, Othman El Ballouti, had been arrested in Dubai. Ballouti was among the three names provided by Dubai police in a statement. 'The three suspects, Mathias Akyazili, Giorgi Faes, and Othman El Ballouti, face several serious criminal charges, including operating a notorious gang, trafficking narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, committing robbery, and engaging in human trafficking,' read the statement released by the government of Dubai's media office. Authorities said the three Belgian nationals were taken into custody based on INTERPOL red notices issued against them in an operation 'that showcased Dubai police's close coordination with international law enforcement agencies'. Belgium and the United Arab Emirates signed an extradition agreement in 2021. The first extradition from the UAE to Belgium was an Albanian trafficker in December 2023. Many drug lords are thought to have gone into hiding in Dubai after a team of Belgian, Dutch and French investigators in 2019 cracked the Sky ECC encrypted communications network system used by smugglers. The oil-rich United Arab Emirates — which is tightly controlled and policed — prides itself on its business-friendly security and stability.
Arabian Business
13-07-2025
- Arabian Business
Dubai Police arrest and extradite 3 INTERPOL-wanted suspects linked to major organised crime in Belgium
Dubai Police have arrested and extradited to authorities in Belgium three prime suspects wanted in that country in connection with cases of cross-border organised crime. The trio were listed in the most wanted category by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol). The three Belgian nationals were held based on INTERPOL red notices issued against them in an operation that showcased Dubai Police's close coordination with international law enforcement agencies. Dubai arrests Belgian organised crime suspects The three suspects, Mathias Akyazili, Giorgi Faes, and Othman El Ballouti, face several serious criminal charges, including: Operating a notorious gang Trafficking narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances Committing robbery Engaging in human trafficking Their extradition comes after Dubai Police, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, launched a thorough investigation led by the General Department of Criminal Investigation, acting upon an international arrest warrant submitted by Belgian authorities to the International Cooperation Department at the UAE Ministry of Justice, the designated central authority for facilitating international cooperation requests. All required legal and judicial formalities were duly complied with before proceeding with the extradition request. Dubai Police affirmed that its swift intervention in such cases reflects its commitment to building bridges of cooperation with law enforcement agencies around the world and effectively combating all forms of transnational organised crime. Such coordinated efforts also support the strengthening of a strong global security framework that confronts criminal activity with full force while promoting the exchange of international expertise and best practices in policing, thereby ensuring enhanced safety and security for communities in every corner of the world.
