The suspected Belgian criminal, Nordin El Hajjioui, charged with drug trafficking, is set for swift extradition from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Belgium, following approval from Dubai’s Court of Cassation.
El Hajjioui, from Antwerp, is suspected of connections with the so-called ‘Mocro maffia’, a Moroccan organised crime group involved in drug trafficking. He faces multiple trials for multiple drug offences.
In recent years, the Antwerp judiciary has made several attempts to extradite Nordin to face multiple drug trafficking charges. The Dubai Court of Cassation has agreed, despite Nordin's repeated appeals. His extradition was requested under the treaty between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Belgium signed in 2021.
Appreciating the court’s decision, Belgium’s Justice Minister, Paul Van Tigchelt, noted that several extradition requests have been issued, with their first being in December last year. However, the current extradition has been sought by the Antwerp Prosecutor’s Office for nearly four years, with previous requests declined.
Cross-border crimes
Van Tigchelt commended the efforts of all involved parties, including the Antwerp and federal prosecutors, diplomatic services, and Emirati authorities, to achieve the Belgian’s extradition.
"Fugitives cannot rest easy. Wherever in the world, there is no impunity and Belgium’s justice will continue to hunt them down. It’s taken time, but perseverance has won. This is certainly not the last extradition," he warned.
Then he clarified that the exact date when El Hajjioui will be extradited is yet to be determined, but it should proceed rapidly.
Van Tigchelt is planning to liaise with his Emirati counterpart to execute a "discrete" extradition operation. Once in Belgium, the suspect will be imprisoned and faces up to twenty years in jail.
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Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister, Hadja Lahbib, also welcomed the extradition. "Organised crime crosses our borders with severe repercussions on the security of our citizens. Criminals try to flee prosecution in our country. Only through increased international cooperation can we bring perpetrators to justice for their crimes."
Lahbib also highlighted the "important role" of diplomacy on tackling the problem.
In his thirties, El Hajjioui was arrested in June 2020 in Dubai for alleged involvement in international cocaine trafficking. Dubai’s Court of Cassation’s decision follows exhaustion of all the defendant’s legal remedies.
