Prosecutor sees Nainggolan as a money launderer rather than a drug dealer and seeks two years
At the trial of a cocaine ring in Brussels, prosecutors also want a 105,000-euro fine for the former Red Devil; his lawyers will plead for acquittal on 13 November.
The Brussels public prosecutor on Friday sought two years in prison and a fine of 105,000 euros against footballer Radja Nainggolan, VRT NWS, Bruzz, La Libre and RTBF report. The trial before the Dutch-speaking criminal court in Brussels concerns a gang alleged to have imported cocaine from South America on a large scale through the port of Antwerp. Sixteen defendants are on trial in all. According to the prosecution, the former Red Devil was not involved in the drug trade and is not suspected of being a member of a criminal organisation, but he is guilty of money laundering.
Nainggolan came into view because he received more than 100,000 euros in cash within a few months from Nasr-Eddine Sekkaki, the younger brother of the well-known criminal Ashraf Sekkaki. He later paid the money back in instalments into the account of Sekkaki's mother. According to the prosecutor, Sekkaki lived on welfare benefits but had large amounts of money with no legal origin. Nainggolan referred to fictitious building works in the transfers, and his phone data show, according to the prosecution, that he knew full well what he was doing. After his arrest the footballer said he needed cash because his Italian accounts had been frozen as a result of his divorce. RTBF reports that he had initially said he had lent Sekkaki money out of friendship.
Against the alleged ringleaders, prosecutors are seeking prison sentences of up to fourteen years and fines of up to 800,000 euros, and according to La Libre also the confiscation of 15 million euros. For Nasr-Eddine Sekkaki they want 36 months. The investigation began in March 2023; in January 2025 there were 30 searches and 18 arrests, including Nainggolan, who spent a night in a cell.
The Patro Eisden Maasmechelen player was not present himself on Friday. His lawyer Mounir Souidi tells VRT NWS that of the original suspicions only a money laundering charge remains, and that this too is unfounded. Nainggolan's defence will plead for acquittal on 13 November.