Kickboxing Champion Jamal Ben Saddik Arrested in Drug-Related Kidnapping Case

Jamal Ben Saddik is said to have ordered the kidnapping and assault of an Antwerp docker involved in drug trafficking. The latter allegedly failed to carry out a cocaine extraction mission despite receiving an advance payment. This was followed by his assault in front of his home.

This is not the first time the former world kickboxing champion’s name has been mentioned in a case. In March 2021, the Belgian justice system had arrested and detained him as a suspect in the SKY ECC case. Jamal Ben Saddik was accused of selling encrypted phones to criminals. After a month and a half in prison, he was released and placed under electronic surveillance.

The home of his parents located in Borgerhout (Antwerp) was also the target of attacks and an explosion in the summer of 2022. His kickboxing club in Deurne and his car were also targeted. All these attacks against Ben Saddik and his family would be linked to a settling of scores in the drug milieu. His brother was accused of diverting a cocaine shipment.

Jamal Ben Saddik was recently sentenced by the Antwerp Correctional Court to forty months in prison and a fine of 40,000 euros for money laundering and fraud. The kickboxer has never been convicted of drug trafficking. However, he remains the subject of an investigation in the Sky case.