Sierra Leone is reportedly facing the suspension of €18 million in European Union funding after the Netherlands pressed the EU to take action over the country’s alleged failure to cooperate in the extradition of convicted Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, known as “Bolle Jos.”
According to a report by De Telegraaf, cited by Dutch media, the European Commission has stopped payments to Sierra Leone over the extradition dispute. Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel confirmed the reported decision.
The €18 million was expected to be provided to Sierra Leone this year as budget support, with the money intended for programmes covering food, education and infrastructure.
The financial pressure could extend into next year. The Netherlands is reportedly seeking to block a further €22.5 million in EU support for Sierra Leone, although the report says discussions among EU member states on the proposed measure are still ongoing.
The dispute centres on Leijdekkers, who is described by Dutch authorities as one of the Netherlands’ most wanted criminals. He was sentenced in the Netherlands to 24 years in prison for cocaine trafficking and an attempted liquidation, while Belgian cases have resulted in prison sentences totalling more than 100 years.
Van Weel welcomed the reported suspension, saying it was unacceptable for EU money to go to a country that, according to the Dutch government, was not cooperating with efforts to extradite Leijdekkers.
The Netherlands is also seeking stronger European measures against serious criminals operating outside Europe, including possible entry bans and the freezing of financial assets.
The reported move places €18 million in current EU support and potentially another €22.5 million next year at the centre of an escalating diplomatic dispute over Bolle Jos.
