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Former international Quincy Promes now plays for Spartak Moscow
Photo: Rui Vieira / AP
Former Dutch national soccer player Quincy Promes has been sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking. This was decided by a court in Amsterdam.
Promes, who was not present, is accused of being involved in the smuggling of more than 1,350 kilograms of cocaine through the port of Antwerp. The public prosecutor's office had demanded nine years in prison - but it is still unclear when and whether Promes will begin his sentence. The Dutch judiciary has tried to extradite him several times without success.
The 32-year-old plays for Spartak Moscow in Russia and has no plans to leave. In addition, Russia and the Netherlands do not have an extradition treaty. Promes' lawyers had previously argued that the former Ajax Amsterdam professional's "labor obligations" took precedence over the criminal investigation. He also told his lawyers that he denied any guilt.
Promes and his co-defendant and uncle, who has already been convicted, are said to belong to a network of drug traffickers, many of whose members have now been arrested.
The prosecution mainly presented intercepted encrypted reports. According to the court, it is clear from these that Promes was involved in the smuggling. The investigators tracked down the footballer thanks to a tip. It was about two loads of cocaine that were smuggled between sacks of sea salt on a container ship from Brazil to Antwerp.
Promes had previously been sentenced to 18 months in prison for injuring his cousin with a knife. In this context, Promes must also pay compensation to the injured party.
Promes made his debut for the Dutch national team in 2014.
ara/dpa/sid