Notorious Belgian Prison Escapee Gets 4 Years for Running Crime Ring from Morocco

The Malinois Sekkaki was arrested and detained in Morocco after escaping from the Bruges prison by helicopter in the summer of 2009. From his cell in Morocco, he continued his criminal activities with the help of his wife Saïda B., 43, considered by the prosecutor as "his right-hand man" and his "link to the outside world".

Saïda B., her brother Hakim, 39, Nasim T., 40, and Yasser R. would have sent money to Sekkaki’s guards in the Moroccan prison, which allowed him to receive preferential treatment, have a mobile phone and be informed in advance of cell searches.

In intercepted telephone conversations, Sekkaki and Saïda B. discussed how to blackmail and put pressure on the prison guards. Residing in Turnhout, Belgium, the woman also helped Sekkaki launder money, about 40,000 euros, with the help of Nasim T.

The public prosecutor had requested four years in prison against Sekkaki and two years against his wife. The Antwerp Criminal Court has just sentenced the man and the woman to the respective sentences requested by the public prosecutor. It also ordered the immediate arrest of the criminals detained in Morocco. Saïda’s brother, for his part, received a one-year suspended sentence.