EU Halts Aid Funds to Sierra Leone over Bolle Jos Extradition - DutchNews.nl
The freeze affects an €18 million budget support payment and could block more funds as the Netherlands presses for his arrest and return.
- On Thursday, October 1, 2026, Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel confirmed the European Commission halted all aid to Sierra Leone over the country's refusal to extradite fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, a convicted cocaine smuggler.
- Leijdekkers, one of Europe's most-wanted fugitives, has received high-level protection in Sierra Leone since at least 2023 despite repeated extradition demands from the Netherlands, where he faces 24 years in prison for cocaine trafficking.
- Suspended payments total $20 million promised for this year, with another 22.5 million at risk for next year if Sierra Leone continues refusing cooperation, Van Weel said, signaling the Commission's doubts about government willingness.
- Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh called the pressure "scandalous" and "neo-colonialism," claiming Sierra Leone does not depend on European money and that security services do not know Leijdekkers' location.
- Van Weel is meeting EU justice ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday to discuss tougher sanctions on criminals hiding outside Europe, including entry bans and asset freezes, to prevent traffickers from evading sentences.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The European Commission has suspended financial aid granted to Sierra Leone because of its refusal to arrest and surrender European cocaine lord, Dutch Jos Leijdekkers, declared Thursday Justice Minister in the Netherlands David van Weel, according to Reuters, NL Times and Telegraaf. Decision to suspend payments worth 18 million ...
dagelijksestandaard.nl
welingelichtekringen.nlLUXEMBOURG (ANP) - Minister David van Weel (Justice) is satisfied with the EU's decision to no longer provide budgetary support to Sierra Leone this year, he reports on X. The Netherlands wants Sierra Leone to extradite convicted drug criminal Jos Leijdekkers (Bolle Jos) to the Netherlands, but attempts...
EU cuts aid to Sierra Leone over its help to convicted cocaine kingpin, Netherlands says
AMSTERDAM, Oct 1 - The European Commission has suspended its financial aid to Sierra Leone over the country's refusal to arrest and hand over European cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel said on Thursday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
EU halts millions in budget support to Sierra Leone over fugitive Dutch drug lord
The EU has halted €18 million in budget support to Sierra Leone due to non-cooperation in extraditing Dutch drug lord Jos Leijdekkers, raising concerns about Freetown's commitment to justice. Source
The Minister of Justice confirms to De Telegraaf that this is happening because the country is not cooperating with the extradition of the drug criminal.
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