The central question this week is: will the convicted Quincy Promes be extradited to the Netherlands? The answer must follow in the trial in Dubai that starts today.
What was that again? The 32-year-old Promes has been convicted twice in the Netherlands for a total of 7.5 years in prison, but has been able to avoid his sentences so far because he lives and plays in Russia. Promes received 6 years in prison for cocaine trafficking and 1.5 years for stabbing his cousin at a family party. He is appealing against both convictions.
At the request of the Netherlands, Promes was arrested in Dubai in March and the judge will determine in the near future whether he will be extradited. The Spartak Moscow attacker was already serving a house arrest for allegedly causing a traffic accident in that country and driving away. Russia is also said to have requested Promes’ extradition for tax fraud.
Correct papers?
Today is the first day of hearing in the trial surrounding the 50-time international. Lawyer Kerem Canatan, specialized in international criminal law and extraditions, explains how the case works.
“The extradition judge in Dubai does not look at the convictions, because Promes has appealed. They only look at what he is suspected of and whether it carries at least a year in prison,” Canatan said. “The judge will then assess whether there are reasons to refuse extradition.”
“It may be that the Netherlands has not sent the correct papers or that it has not been submitted correctly,” says the lawyer. “Other grounds for refusal are risk of death penalty, political offense, discrimination, human rights violation or if it concerns an offense that is not punishable in Dubai.” None of this seems to be the case in the Promes matter.
UAE interests at stake?
Only the state could then throw a spanner in the works: if the interests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are at stake, that is a separate ground for refusal. That could be the case if all kinds of strings are being pulled within the state.
“Money could play a role, or possible Russian interference. The question is whether that will happen due to the much media attention,” Canatan explains the matter. “There are examples where extradition has been refused, but it would damage the relationship and cause a loss of face.”
Extradition treaty
The Netherlands has had an extradition treaty with the UAE since 2021 and this has been in force since 2023. So if all the papers are in order, extradition seems to be a matter of time. “In principle, you will come to the Netherlands within 30 days,” says the lawyer.
A final reservation is the appeal, which Promes can file after the extradition judge’s decision. “Then the UAE’s highest court will review the request again, but that is often a formality.”
“I would be surprised if Promes does not come to the Netherlands this year,” Canatan concludes firmly. “I expect so.”
Tags: Start extradition trial Promes Expect Netherlands year
