Brussels prosecutors have sought a two-year prison sentence and a 105,000-euro fine for football player Radja Naggolan in a criminal court. He is accused of money laundering as part of an investigation into international cocaine smuggling. For other defendants in the same procedure, prosecutors seek sentences ranging from 12 months to 14 years in prison.

An investigation began in March 2023 against a group suspected of importing large quantities of cocaine from South America through the port of Antverp. After months of surveillance and surveillance, police conducted a major operation in January 2025 and arrested several people. Among them was Nainggolan, who spent a night in custody.

Investigators took an interest in him because he received more than 100,000 euros over several months from Nasr-Eddine Sekkaki, the youngest brother of the notorious criminal Ashraf Sekkaki. The footballer later paid the sum back with installments on Sekaki’s mother’s account.

Nainggolan: I borrowed money because my accounts were blocked

The footballer explained after his arrest that he had borrowed money from Sekkaki because he wanted to continue his lifestyle and his accounts in Italy were blocked because of the divorce.

I am not in debt, but my accounts in Italy were blocked because of the divorce by Claudia, said first Nainggolan, who during the police interrogation, said he was unaware of Sekkaki’s reputation.

In my eyes, he wasn’t a bad guy. I felt normal and modest, I couldn’t say anything bad about it. He never told me about his past and, frankly, I didn’t care. I didn’t know his reputation. I only learned from the media after I was arrested in this case, the Belgian added.

Prosecutor: He knowingly laundered money

The prosecution claims that Nainggolan, now a member of the Belgian second division club Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, was not directly involved in drug trafficking, unlike most of the other 15 defendants, but was involved in money laundering. They do not suspect that he belongs to a criminal organization. However, they are demanding a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 105,000 euros.

The Nainggolan defence, which has announced it will seek to clear the charges, will present its arguments on 13 November. /Telegraphy/