Dutch footballer Quincy Promes has been extradited from Dubai to the Netherlands to serve a combined seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence for cocaine smuggling and stabbing his cousin.
The 33-year-old former Ajax and Netherlands international was flown back on a chartered plane after being arrested at his Dubai home last week following a request by Dutch police.
Promes faces six years for his involvement in smuggling more than 1,300 kilograms of cocaine and an additional 18 months for stabbing his cousin at a family party.
The Dutch public prosecution service confirmed to The Associated Press that Promes was en route to the Netherlands in Dutch custody.
Quincy Promes scored 22 goals in 53 appearances at Ajax
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Amsterdam District Court ruled last year that Promes was directly involved in importing and exporting cocaine to the Netherlands or Belgium in 2020.
The court found he had helped smuggle 1,360 kilograms of the drug in two shipments.
Despite Promes denying the allegations through his lawyers, judges relied on evidence from two eyewitnesses and intercepted phone conversations to convict him.
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The Dutch winger has been playing in the second tier in Dubai after leaving Spartak Moscow
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He was sentenced to six years in prison in his absence.
The court criticised the footballer for not attending to defend himself or show remorse, noting his sentence would have been reduced by six months had he appeared.
The stabbing incident occurred in 2020 at a warehouse in Abcoude during a family gathering.
Promes attacked his cousin following an argument over a stolen necklace, stabbing him in the leg.
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He was initially set to face attempted murder charges, but these were downgraded to aggravated assault.
In 2023, whilst living in Russia, Promes was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
The judge noted that Promes had shown no remorse for the attack.
Both his cocaine smuggling and assault convictions are currently under appeal, though he will begin serving his sentences immediately upon arrival in the Netherlands.
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Quincy Promes scored 114 times for Russian club Spartak Moscow
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The winger, who earned 50 caps for the Netherlands and scored seven goals, had been playing for Spartak Moscow from 2021 until last year.
He was reportedly arrested in Dubai whilst Spartak were there for friendly matches.
Most recently, he represented Dubai United, a second-tier club where he scored 19 goals in 20 appearances.
It was reported that the former Ajax man had said he would return to the Netherlands only on the condition that he would not face sentencing for his crimes - this was rejected.
The chartered flight bringing him back to the Netherlands cost taxpayers nearly £86,000, with authorities citing "safety risks" in using a commercial flight.
Dutch police seized nine properties under Promes' name following his conviction.
If his sentences are upheld, the earliest he could be released on parole is 2030.
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