Promes case reopened to question defense on wiretaps

The case over the stabbing involving Quincy Promes is being reopened because the defense wants to know why the footballer was wiretapped by the police. Tapes about the incident were used by the judiciary as evidence against Promes, and therefore his lawyer wants to know exactly how this was authorized.

“The prosecution did add to the file the decision that tapping was allowed, but not the request underlying it,” the press judge explained. “In it are the arguments on the basis of which the examining magistrate gave permission to tap. The court now says that is a procedural document that still needs to be added.”

The prosecution had left this document out of the file because it could be damaging to the other case in which Promes is being investigated. The judge is sensitive to that argument, but says the proper procedure must then be followed to keep all or parts of the document out of this case.

Earlier this month, the prosecution demanded a 2-year prison sentence against the soccer player for allegedly stabbing a cousin at a family party in 2020. The man suffered serious injuries to his leg and is still struggling with symptoms, according to his lawyer. Promes was initially prosecuted for attempted murder, but the prosecution ultimately deemed only aggravated assault proven.

In overheard conversations, Promes talked with his father and brother about the incident. He spoke of an old feud with the cousin over a theft within the family. “My loyalty is to my aunt: whoever picks from her, I kill. Period. Whoever picks from you, I finish. Whoever picks from my mother, I kill off. There are certain people in the family for whom I kill. Period.”

Because Justice quoted extensively from the conversations, the court feels it is appropriate to include all of the underlying documents about the wiretapping. Justice has so far not said much about why Promes was wiretapped at the time of the stabbing. Promes was named in a drug case earlier this year, but he himself denies involvement in narcotics trafficking.

Promes’ lawyer Sophie Hof now wants to see if the request for the tap was lawfully obtained. Should that not be the case, the incriminating conversations should be kept out of the file.

“To make a parallel with the soccer world: if it’s offside you’re not allowed to count a goal either, no matter how beautiful the point was or how hard the ball went in. The same applies here.”

It is not yet known when the trial, in which today’s verdict was actually scheduled, will resume. As a result, it is also not yet known when Promes will be told whether or not the judge sentences him.