Dutch footballer Quincy Promes of Spartak Moscow, who was on trial for stabbing his cousin during a family celebration, was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison, although he was not present in court in Amsterdam. Promes, 31, pleaded not guilty to charges of “attempted manslaughter” and lives in Russia, so he did not attend the trial. The prosecution considered it premature to request his extradition.
The striker said he was “disappointed” by the decision, and his lawyer, Robert Malewicz, announced that they will appeal the verdict. Promes was accused of assaulting his cousin in the leg during a birthday party in July 2020, amid an altercation over an alleged necklace theft.
The court took into account the fact that Promes was a professional player and public figure in making its exemplary decision. It also reproached him for failing to assume his responsibilities. The prosecutor, who had sought a two-year prison sentence last year, had to dismiss the charges of attempted murder due to a lack of evidence.
The investigation was triggered by wiretaps in the context of a drug trafficking case also involving Promes. Since May, the player has also faced accusations of importing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, mainly through the port of Antwerp, Belgium.
Promes, who has scored seven goals in 50 appearances for the Dutch national team, participated in Euro 2021 with his national team but has not been called up since. He previously excelled at Twente before playing for Spartak Moscow (2014–2018) and then joining Ajax in 2019 after a spell with Sevilla. The events occurred when Promes was playing in Amsterdam.
Due to his legal problems, he returned to Russia in 2021, where he had previously been named Footballer of the Year in 2017.