UAE hands over one of China's most sought-after individuals for participation in an extensive illegal gambling operation worth millions of dollars.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made headlines once again for its role in international law enforcement, this time by extraditing an alleged crime boss to China. The arrest and subsequent extradition are the latest high-profile interventions by the UAE in the fight against organized and transnational crime.
According to reports, the man, whose name was not disclosed by the UAE, is suspected of running an illegal gambling network worth millions of dollars. He is also accused of serious cross-border crimes including operating a gang, trafficking drugs and psychotropic substances, committing robbery, and human trafficking. The suspect is considered one of China's most wanted.
The arrest was made in response to a request from the Chinese authorities, following a red notice issued by Interpol. The three suspects, Mathias Akyazili, Giorgi Faes, and Othman El Ballouti, were also listed in the most-wanted category by Interpol and the EU's Europol. The UAE's Ministry of Interior confirmed the extradition of these individuals to their home country.
The Chinese authorities have expressed their appreciation for the UAE's cooperation, with statements indicating their interest in enhancing cooperation and joint action with the UAE. This is not the first time the UAE has extradited individuals to other countries for suspected illegal activities.
In 2025, Dubai extradited multiple individuals to France for serious international offenses such as murder, leadership of criminal organizations, armed robbery, money laundering, and drug trafficking. As of mid-2025, the number of extraditions to France had reached 10. The UAE also extradited Othman El Ballouti, known as the 'Cocaine King,' to Belgium, where he was accused of orchestrating massive cocaine shipments into Europe.
These extraditions reflect the UAE's commitment to international cooperation in combating organized and transnational crime. The arrest and extradition to China underscore the UAE's role in tackling various forms of cross-border crime, reinforcing its position as a key player in global law enforcement.
The UAE's efforts to close the net on criminal activities around the world are part of Dubai Police's broader mission to ensure the security of societies and the international community. The arrests and extraditions in response to requests from the authorities in Belgium and China are a testament to this commitment.
References:
- Al Jazeera, UAE extradites 'Cocaine King' to Belgium
- Gulf News, UAE extradites 10 suspects to France in 2025
- South China Morning Post, UAE extradites suspect wanted by China for running illegal gambling network
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a significant step in the world of general news, as it extradites a Chinese crime boss accused of running an illegal gambling network worth millions, marking the country's involvement in crime-and-justice matters.
- The UAE's efforts in international law enforcement have extended beyond drugs and organized crime, reaching into the realm of casino-and-gambling-related offenses.
- This recent extradition to China adds another layer to the UAE's extensive list of notable international collaborations on general news topics, including the extradition of the 'Cocaine King' to Belgium in 2025 for drug trafficking and other serious offenses.
