Former Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan was charged on Tuesday as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking on an international scale, a day after he was arrested, the Brussels prosecutor's office said.
<h2>Nainggolan charged</h2>
The 36-year-old footballer was charged with "participating in a criminal organisation" and then conditionally released, his lawyer Mounir Souidi told media after a hearing in Brussels.
Nainggolan was among 18 suspects arrested following a series of 30 searches carried out on Monday morning in the northern province of Antwerp, as well as in the Brussels area. Ten of them were imprisoned after being brought before a judge.
The majority of those held face charges of "importation, transport and selling of drugs without permission" and with the "participation in organised crime as leaders".
Nainggolan was released on bail as he was charged with being a "member" of the organisation and not a "leader".
"The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium," prosecutors said in a statement on Monday.
In addition to 2.7 kilos (six pounds) of cocaine, police seized around half a million euros ($521,000) in cash and gold coins, a stash of jewellery, and luxury watches including two worth some 360,000 euros each.
They further seized three firearms, two bullet-proof vests and 14 vehicles, prosecutors said.
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Antwerp-born Nainggolan came out of retirement last week to join a lower-tier Belgian side -- adding a final spell to a long career that saw him play 30 matches and score six goals for the national team.
Having played for Italian teams Cagliari, Inter Milan and Roma, he had been without a club since last summer before signing with Belgian second-tier outfit Lokeren last week.
He marked his debut with a goal at the weekend in Lokeren's 1-1 home draw to K. Lierse.
He had previously returned from Italy to Belgium in the summer of 2021 to join Royal Antwerp.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sports, Football: Radja Nainggolan was charged on Tuesday as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking on an international scale, a day after he was arrested. 

Former Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan was charged on Tuesday as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking on an international scale, a day after he was arrested, the Brussels prosecutor's office said. Nainggolan charged The 36-year-old footballer was charged with "participating in a criminal organisation" and then conditionally released, his lawyer Mounir Souidi told media after a hearing in Brussels. Nainggolan was among 18 suspects arrested following a series of 30 searches carried out on Monday morning in the northern province of Antwerp, as well as in the Brussels area. Ten of them were imprisoned after being brought before a judge. The majority of those held face charges of "importation, transport and selling of drugs without permission" and with the "participation in organised crime as leaders". Nainggolan was released on bail as he was charged with being a "member" of the organisation and not a "leader". "The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium," prosecutors said in a statement on Monday. In addition to 2.7 kilos (six pounds) of cocaine, police seized around half a million euros ($521,000) in cash and gold coins, a stash of jewellery, and luxury watches including two worth some 360,000 euros each. They further seized three firearms, two bullet-proof vests and 14 vehicles, prosecutors said. ALSO READ | Ranji Trophy 2025: ‘Young players felt motivated after training with Kohli,’ says Delhi coach Antwerp-born Nainggolan came out of retirement last week to join a lower-tier Belgian side -- adding a final spell to a long career that saw him play 30 matches and score six goals for the national team. Having played for Italian teams Cagliari, Inter Milan and Roma, he had been without a club since last summer before signing with Belgian second-tier outfit Lokeren last week. He marked his debut with a goal at the weekend in Lokeren's 1-1 home draw to K. Lierse. He had previously returned from Italy to Belgium in the summer of 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Ex-Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan charged in drug trafficking probe

Former Belgian international Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking via the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor's office said.
<h2>Nainggolan arrested</h2>
Police arrested 16 suspects including the footballer, after carrying out a series of morning raids across the country, the office told AFP.
"The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium," prosecutors said in a statement.
In addition to 2.7 kilos (six pounds) of cocaine, police seized around half a million euros in cash and gold coins, a stash of jewellery, and luxury watches including two worth some 360,000 euros each.
They further seized three firearms, two bullet-proof vests and 14 vehicles, prosecutors said.
Antwerp-born Nainggolan, 36, came out of retirement last week to join a lower-tier Belgian side -- adding a final spell to a long career that saw him play 30 matches and score six goals for the national team.
Having played for Italian teams Cagliari, Inter Milan and Roma, he had been without a club since last summer before signing with Belgian second-tier outfit Lokeren last week.
He marked his debut with a goal at the weekend in Lokeren's 1-1 home draw to K. Lierse.
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He had previously returned from Italy to Belgium in the summer of 2021 to join Royal Antwerp.
A tattooed midfielder known for his off-field antics, he parted ways with Antwerp in early 2023.
A few months earlier he had been suspended for being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sports, Football: Police arrested 16 suspects including the footballer, after carrying out a series of morning raids across the country, the office told AFP.

Former Belgian international Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking via the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor's office said. Nainggolan arrested Police arrested 16 suspects including the footballer, after carrying out a series of morning raids across the country, the office told AFP. "The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium," prosecutors said in a statement. In addition to 2.7 kilos (six pounds) of cocaine, police seized around half a million euros in cash and gold coins, a stash of jewellery, and luxury watches including two worth some 360,000 euros each. They further seized three firearms, two bullet-proof vests and 14 vehicles, prosecutors said. Antwerp-born Nainggolan, 36, came out of retirement last week to join a lower-tier Belgian side -- adding a final spell to a long career that saw him play 30 matches and score six goals for the national team. Having played for Italian teams Cagliari, Inter Milan and Roma, he had been without a club since last summer before signing with Belgian second-tier outfit Lokeren last week. He marked his debut with a goal at the weekend in Lokeren's 1-1 home draw to K. Lierse. ALSO READ | Meet Naomi Girma - 24-year-old Olympic gold winner and world's first million-dollar female footballer He had previously returned from Italy to Belgium in the summer of 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. A tattooed midfielder known for his off-field antics, he parted ways with Antwerp in early 2023. A few months earlier he had been suspended for being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan arrested in cocaine trafficking probe

A late goal by Premier League target Radja Nainggolan earned Belgium a last-16 berth with a 1-0 win over Sweden ending superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic&#39;s international career with a defeat. 
 
The Roma midfielder, reportedly wanted by Chelsea, controlled a cross from Eden Hazard outside the area and powered it into the net in the 82nd minute. 
 
After a poor display against Italy in their group opener, Belgium now take on Hungary in Toulouse on June 26 with the momentum of two wins behind them. 
 
&quot;We have got better since the Italy game, kept two clean sheets in a row,&quot; said Marc Wilmots, Belgium&#39;s coach. 
 
&quot;It will be a complicated game, we watched the last minutes of their game against Portugal, Hungary leave 200 per cent on the field,&quot; said Belgium skipper Eden Hazard who was awarded man-of-the-match. 
 
There was to be no salvation for Sweden, nor one more game for Ibrahimovic. 
 
He battled to the end, almost snatching a late equaliser with a half volley on the turn, but the dying minutes were instead marked by the Belgian fans raucously chanting &quot;Bye Bye Ibrahimovic!&quot; 
 
&quot;It&#39;s heavy, it&#39;s disappointing, but at the same time I enjoyed it, we got the possibility to play at &nbsp;the Euros, and represent Sweden,&quot; said Ibrahimovic. 
 
&quot;At the same time I am proud, this was my last game in the national team, I have many fantastic memories.&quot; 
 
Sweden coach Erik Hamren said Ibrahimovic was a &quot;unique&quot; talent that cannot be replaced. 
 
&quot;I hope we can find another player, not a Zlatan as I don&#39;t think in a small country like Sweden you can find someone like that, he&#39;s really unique,&quot; said Hamren. 
 
Sweden finished bottom of the group and will look back with regret on a flat performance in their opener against Ireland. 
 
&quot;Our two last games were not bad, but we couldn&#39;t finish our chances in either,&quot; added Hamren. &quot;Against Ireland we weren&#39;t very good, maybe in attack we could have been better against Italy. But I can&#39;t ask more from my players, I&#39;m proud of them, even though we lost the game,&quot; he said. 
 
Facing elimination if defeated, both teams pushed forward to attack which produced a pulsating first half hour in balmy Nice. 
 
Chances came thick and fast, Sweden almost grabbing a dream start three minutes in when a goalmouth half-volley by Marcus Berg, in for John Giudetti as strike partner to Ibrahimovic, was batted out by Thibaut Courtois. 
 
Belgium launched regular raids with Kevin De Bruyne through the middle and Hazard, roving from wing to wing, at the heart of the danger. 
 
Midway through the half, a backheel from Hazard let the Man City star fire a shot straight at the Isaksson. 
 
At the other end, Ibrahimovic had little joy, bar the occasional half-chance snapshot or attempt at a spectacular volley. 
 
But none came to anything on an ultimately frustrating night for the Swedish legend who announced his international retirement after Euro 2016 on Tuesday. 
 
It was Belgium who nearly entered the break in front, when Meurier headed an inch-perfect De Bruyne cross just wide of Andreas Isaksson&#39;s post. 
 
As the clock ran down in the second half the temperature began rising again as Belgium wasted a host of chances to kill of Swedish hopes. 
 
Isaksson dived at full length to keep out a De Bruyne drive before a powerful Romelu Lukaku break was foiled by Isakksson who spread his body well to block the shot. 
 
A minute later, an identical run by the Everton striker, this time with a neat finish, was ruled offside. 
 
Time was running out on Ibrahimovic when he went close with a free-kick turned away by Courtois with a quarter hour to go before De Bruyne cleared off the line. 
 
But Nainggolan secured a richly-talented Belgian side&#39;s place on the favourable half of the draw with a rasping drive into the far corner. 
 
(AFP)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored 62 goals in 116 international matches, ends his international career in defeat as Sweden fails to qualify

A late goal by Premier League target Radja Nainggolan earned Belgium a last-16 berth with a 1-0 win over Sweden ending superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic's international career with a defeat. The Roma midfielder, reportedly wanted by Chelsea, controlled a cross from Eden Hazard outside the area and powered it into the net in the 82nd minute. After a poor display against Italy in their group opener, Belgium now take on Hungary in Toulouse on June 26 with the momentum of two wins behind them. "We have got better since the Italy game, kept two clean sheets in a row," said Marc Wilmots, Belgium's coach. "It will be a complicated game, we watched the last minutes of their game against Portugal, Hungary leave 200 per cent on the field," said Belgium skipper Eden Hazard who was awarded man-of-the-match. There was to be no salvation for Sweden, nor one more game for Ibrahimovic. He battled to the end, almost snatching a late equaliser with a half volley on the turn, but the dying minutes were instead marked by the Belgian fans raucously chanting "Bye Bye Ibrahimovic!" "It's heavy, it's disappointing, but at the same time I enjoyed it, we got the possibility to play at the Euros, and represent Sweden," said Ibrahimovic. "At the same time I am proud, this was my last game in the national team, I have many fantastic memories." Sweden coach Erik Hamren said Ibrahimovic was a "unique" talent that cannot be replaced. "I hope we can find another player, not a Zlatan as I don't think in a small country like Sweden you can find someone like that, he's really unique," said Hamren. Sweden finished bottom of the group and will look back with regret on a flat performance in their opener against Ireland. "Our two last games were not bad, but we couldn't finish our chances in either," added Hamren. "Against Ireland we weren't very good, maybe in attack we could have been better against Italy. But I can't ask more from my players, I'm proud of them, even though we lost the game," he said. Facing elimination if defeated, both teams pushed forward to attack which produced a pulsating first half hour in balmy Nice. Chances came thick and fast, Sweden almost grabbing a dream start three minutes in when a goalmouth half-volley by Marcus Berg, in for John Giudetti as strike partner to Ibrahimovic, was batted out by Thibaut Courtois. Belgium launched regular raids with Kevin De Bruyne through the middle and Hazard, roving from wing to wing, at the heart of the danger. Midway through the half, a backheel from Hazard let the Man City star fire a shot straight at the Isaksson. At the other end, Ibrahimovic had little joy, bar the occasional half-chance snapshot or attempt at a spectacular volley. But none came to anything on an ultimately frustrating night for the Swedish legend who announced his international retirement after Euro 2016 on Tuesday. It was Belgium who nearly entered the break in front, when Meurier headed an inch-perfect De Bruyne cross just wide of Andreas Isaksson's post. As the clock ran down in the second half the temperature began rising again as Belgium wasted a host of chances to kill of Swedish hopes. Isaksson dived at full length to keep out a De Bruyne drive before a powerful Romelu Lukaku break was foiled by Isakksson who spread his body well to block the shot. A minute later, an identical run by the Everton striker, this time with a neat finish, was ruled offside. Time was running out on Ibrahimovic when he went close with a free-kick turned away by Courtois with a quarter hour to go before De Bruyne cleared off the line. But Nainggolan secured a richly-talented Belgian side's place on the favourable half of the draw with a rasping drive into the far corner. (AFP)

Belgium seal last-16 berth with 1-0 win over Sweden,  Ibrahimovic bows out

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Ex-Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan charged in drug trafficking probe

Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan arrested in cocaine trafficking probe

Belgium seal last-16 berth with 1-0 win over Sweden, Ibrahimovic bows out