Dutch PM praises UAE's efforts in extraditing wanted criminal Faisal Taghi

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dick Schoof, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, has commended the UAE's efforts and security cooperation, through the Dubai Police, in extraditing Faisal Taghi, a high-value target criminal wanted by Dutch authorities.

Schoof further expressed his appreciation of the UAE and gratitude for the strong bilateral relations between the two nations.

Meanwhile, Dubai Police confirmed the arrest of Faisal Taghi, a 24-year-old Dutch national, who is wanted on an international arrest warrant for crimes including drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, and leading the criminal organisation "Angels of Death." The arrest was made possible through Dubai Police's fruitful cooperation with Dutch police and Interpol.

Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, affirmed that this international security cooperation aligns with the UAE's strategic directives to strengthen international relations and partnerships with security and police agencies worldwide.

He explained, "This follows the guidance of His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, to enhance deep and robust relations between the UAE and various countries in combating all forms of crime."

Taghi's arrest followed the receipt of an international arrest warrant from Dutch authorities by the International Cooperation Department of the UAE Ministry of Justice- the central authority for receiving official international cooperation requests and forwarding them to the Dubai Public Prosecution. Faisal Taghi was then handed over to the relevant judicial authorities per legal procedures.

It is worth noting that Dubai Police previously arrested Faisal's father, Ridouan Taghi, one of the world's most dangerous criminals on Interpol's most-wanted list. Ridouan Taghi is considered extremely dangerous due to the nature of the crimes he is accused of, prompting Dutch authorities to label him "the most dangerous criminal."

Ridouan was then the head of the criminal syndicate "Angels of Death," responsible for over 300 different crimes, including assassinations and murders. Interpol classifies him as one of the most wanted criminals and the leader of one of the world's most violent gangs. At that time, Dutch authorities offered a financial reward of 100,000 euros for any information leading to his arrest, which was eventually carried out by Dubai Police in 2019. Ridouan is currently serving a life sentence in the Netherlands.