Suspected drug trafficker Nainggolan banned from leaving Belgium
Former Roma and Inter midfielder spent the night in custody and is now required to remain at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor’s Office
After two interviews with investigators, Radja Nainggolan was released with a number of conditions to fulfil, including a ban on leaving Belgium’s borders and the obligation to remain at the disposal of the country’s public prosecutor’s office.
The midfielder completed the first part of the interrogation on Monday morning and continued with the second and decisive part in the afternoon, in which he continued to declare himself innocent of international drug trafficking, which led to the arrest of the former Roma and Inter player last Monday.
The Belgian’s lawyer Omar Souidi accompanied him during the interrogations and expressed confidence that the player would be acquitted: “I hope he will return to the pitch with Lokeren soon. He has not been charged yet. The fact that he has had to answer some questions does not mean that he has anything to do with the matter. He was questioned and cooperated, now we are waiting for the judge. He is a footballer, not a criminal, and he is very sensitive to all this.”
On Monday, Belgian police searched 30 addresses in the provinces of Antwerp and Brussels, including the footballer’s apartment. The investigation is said to concern the import of cocaine from South America into Europe and involves 15 other people. The footballer has denied any involvement.
It now remains to be seen whether Lokeren, a club in the Belgian second division, will immediately reinstate him into the group.
References
“Former Belgian national team member Nainggolan arrested in cocaine trafficking probe”. Routers
