Heavyweight kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik has been handed a significant prison term, adding to his recent legal troubles, which include a prior conviction for money laundering.
The former top-ranked heavyweight star, Jamal Ben Saddik, was sentenced to four years in prison by an Antwerp court for his involvement in the kidnapping of a dockworker. The victim was reportedly linked to drug trafficking activities at the Port of Antwerp.
The incident occurred last summer when the victim was intercepted on the street, forced into a vehicle at gunpoint, and subjected to pressure to facilitate a cocaine shipment. After refusing the demands, the dockworker was released only after his sister alerted police authorities. During the ordeal, the victim`s home was also ransacked.
The Antwerp court concluded that Ben Saddik acted as the director and ringleader of the operation, resulting in him receiving the most severe sentence among the four defendants involved. Evidence confirmed that one of the individuals in the car was armed. Furthermore, the dockworker`s uncle, who allegedly phoned the victim during the abduction urging him to “cooperate,” was sentenced to 30 months.
Ben Saddik vehemently disputes the court`s verdict. Through his spokesperson, he relayed his rejection of the ruling, asserting that the court’s assessment identifying him as the leader of the plot was “completely unjustified.”
Once internationally renowned for his fierce rivalry with Rico Verhoeven, Ben Saddik`s competitive career has been increasingly overshadowed by serious legal problems. These troubles include a money-laundering conviction secured last year and a lengthy suspension due to a doping violation in 2022.
An appeal against the current sentence has been filed, though a new trial may not occur for several months. Until the appeal process concludes, Ben Saddik maintains that he will not accept the ruling.
Oliver Croft