The renowned kickboxer`s appeal against his conviction has failed, meaning he is set to serve time behind bars.
Kickboxing star Jamal Ben Saddik has been sentenced to 40 months in prison, with half of the term suspended, following the rejection of his appeal in a money laundering case. The Antwerp Court of Appeal confirmed his conviction for laundering over €1.2 million and committing forgery.
Alongside Jamal Ben Saddik, his brother Saïd Ben Saddik and associate Emad N. also received substantial prison terms, sentenced to two and a half years and four years respectively. Authorities successfully confiscated the entire laundered amount of €1,230,000 involved in the operation.
Uncertainty remains regarding the exact duration Ben Saddik will spend incarcerated, as Belgian law permits sentences under 36 months to not always necessitate full-time detention.
This ruling concludes the legal proceedings that brought to light a network utilizing fraudulent contracts and real estate schemes connected to Dutch criminal Karim S. During raids linked to the case, over €500,000 in cash and numerous falsified documents were seized.
The Dutch-Moroccan fighter made his return to the ring earlier this year after more than two years away from the sport. In his most recent bout, which took place less than two weeks ago, he was defeated in the semifinals of the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament by Sofian Laidouni due to suffering a cut on his shin.
Oliver Croft