Belgian Prosecutors Seek 4-Year Sentence for Notorious Prison Escapee’s Ongoing Crimes

– byPrince@Bladi · 1 min read
Belgian Prosecutors Seek 4-Year Sentence for Notorious Prison Escapee's Ongoing Crimes

Ashraf Sekkaki, 39, has been in prison in Morocco for more than ten years, after escaping from the prison in Bruges, Belgium in 2009. He is accused of illegal trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and corruption of prison guards. On Monday, the Belgian prosecution requested four years in prison against him.

The Belgo-Moroccan continued his criminal activities in Belgium from his prison cell near Rabat, the prosecution states in the indictment. He was assisted by his wife, Saïda B., 43, who was "his link to the outside world," it is specified.

The in-laws of Sekkaki participated in the corruption of the guards of the prison where the latter is detained, which allowed him to receive preferential treatment, to have a mobile phone and to be informed of cell searches.

In intercepted telephone conversations, Sekkaki and Saïda B. can be heard talking about blackmail and pressure on the guards. The woman, residing in Turnhout, Belgium, maintained contact with other members of Sekkaki’s criminal network to help him launder money. The prosecution requested four years in prison against him and two years in prison against his wife.