Son of Ridouan Taghi extradited from the United Arab Emirates to the Netherlands

The 23-year-old son of Marengo's main suspect, Ridouan Taghi, was transferred from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the Netherlands on Friday, a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service confirmed after reports from De Telegraaf and AD.

Son Faissal was arrested in August 2023 at the request of the Netherlands, after which the United Arab Emirates decided to extradite him. He is suspected of participating in a criminal organization that is involved in international drug trafficking, money laundering, and preparing violent crimes. The Netherlands has had treaties with the UAE on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and extradition since August 1 last year.

His father was arrested in Dubai at the end of 2019 and put on a plane to the Netherlands shortly after his arrest. In February, a judge imposed a life sentence on crime leader Ridouan Taghi and his accomplices Saïd R. and Mario R. in the major Marengo liquidation trial. They were sentenced for charges brought against them in a long-running case involving six assassinations, four attempted killings, and plans to murder several others. An appeal is now pending in this case.

Together with Faissal T., a 46-year-old man who had been wanted for international drug trafficking since 2022 was also extradited on Friday. He was arrested in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, in November last year. According to De Telegraaf, it concerns Romeo van K.

Five members of the Royal Military Police's Brigade Special Security Orders (BSB) secured Faissal Taghi on a plane during the extradition process from Dubai to the Netherlands. A forensic pathologist was also on board. According to De Telegraaf, Faissal T. wore a face mask and noise-canceling headphones during the flight.

The extradition of the two suspects shows "that criminals cannot consider themselves untouchable outside our borders," Minister David van Weel (Justice) said. He thanked the police and the Public Prosecution Service for their "fantastic work," as well as organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to his spokesperson. Van Weel also stated that the extradition treaty with the UAE was "not a paper tiger, but functions and has an impact."

The two will be brought before a judge next week, who will decide whether they should remain in custody longer.