Saudi Press
Saudi Arabia and the world
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026
English
English
Arabic
Hebrew
Hindi
Tagalog
Urdu
Add Your News
Belgian appeals court rules out extradition for Spanish rapper Valtònyc
A Belgian appeals court has upheld a decision not to extradite the controversial Spanish rapper Valtònyc.
The 28-year-old musician — whose real name is Jose Miguel Arenas Beltran — has been living in exile in Belgium since 2018.
He faces three-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of writing lyrics that praised terror groups and insulted the Spanish royal family.
Ghent prosecutor Francis Clarysse told reporters the court's decision can be appealed to Belgium’s highest court, the court of cessation.
Tuesday’s ruling marked the fourth time that Spanish judicial authorities have had an extradition request denied.
Valtònyc’s case has become symbolic in Spain, where the authorities have been accused of cracking down on free speech.
The rapper — who originates from Palma de Mallorca — was sentenced to prison over songs he wrote when he was 18 years old.
The lyrics were deemed to have praised terror groups, threatened a Spanish politician with violence and insulted the royal family.
Spanish courts had rejected Arenas’ argument that rap lyrics are meant to be provocative and should be protected by free speech laws.
Belgium's judiciary has already said that the charges of "apology of terrorism" and "threats" were not grounds for his extradition.
Newsletter
Subscribe
Related Articles
Saudi Supreme Court Urges Muslims to Observe Crescent Moon for Eid Determination
Kingdom calls on citizens and residents to sight the moon as part of official process marking end of Ramadan
Saudi Supreme Court Urges Muslims to Observe Crescent Moon for Eid Determination
Kingdom calls on citizens and residents to sight the moon as part of official process marking end of Ramadan
Saudi Arabia Reassesses Iran Strategy as Regional Conflict Tests MBS’s Diplomatic Bet
Escalating tensions challenge earlier outreach efforts, prompting renewed focus on security and stability
Iran Steps Up Drone Strikes on Saudi Oil Sites, Heightening Risks to Global Supply
Wave of attacks on key energy infrastructure intensifies regional tensions and raises concerns over market stability
Regional Fallout Grows as Iran Conflict Sends Shockwaves Across Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt
Economic strain, security risks, and political pressures mount as neighbouring states grapple with widening war
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Seven Drones in Intensifying Regional Security Threat
Air defences respond swiftly to multiple aerial incursions amid escalating tensions across the Gulf
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Seven Drones in Intensifying Regional Security Threat
Air defences respond swiftly to multiple aerial incursions amid escalating tensions across the Gulf
Saudi Arabia Weighs Regional Risks as Iran Conflict Deepens and Security Calculations Shift
Kingdom navigates complex tensions, balancing stability concerns with evolving dynamics involving Iran and Israel
Gulf States Confront Limits of U.S. Protection as Regional War Intensifies
Escalating conflict exposes vulnerabilities in longstanding security arrangements with Washington
Gulf Producers Rush to Reroute Oil Exports as Iran Tightens Control of Hormuz Strait
Energy exporters seek alternative routes to safeguard shipments after key maritime chokepoint faces severe disruption
Saudi Gaming Investment Arm Acquires Strategic Stake in Capcom to Expand Global Influence
Kingdom deepens push into international gaming industry with targeted investment in Japanese developer
Iran Intensifies Strikes on Saudi Oil Infrastructure as Regional War Escalates
Renewed attacks on energy facilities heighten global supply concerns and deepen Middle East conflict
Load More
WhatsApp
×
Subscribe also to our WhatsApp channel:
Subscribe
×
Saudi Press
Add Your News
Playlist
Hide
0:00
0:00
Open
Saudi Press
Saudi Arabia and the world
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Supreme Court Urges Muslims to Observe Crescent Moon for Eid Determination
Saudi Supreme Court Urges Muslims to Observe Crescent Moon for Eid Determination
Saudi Arabia Reassesses Iran Strategy as Regional Conflict Tests MBS’s Diplomatic Bet
Iran Steps Up Drone Strikes on Saudi Oil Sites, Heightening Risks to Global Supply
Regional Fallout Grows as Iran Conflict Sends Shockwaves Across Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Seven Drones in Intensifying Regional Security Threat
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Seven Drones in Intensifying Regional Security Threat
Saudi Arabia Weighs Regional Risks as Iran Conflict Deepens and Security Calculations Shift
Gulf States Confront Limits of U.S. Protection as Regional War Intensifies
Gulf Producers Rush to Reroute Oil Exports as Iran Tightens Control of Hormuz Strait
Saudi Gaming Investment Arm Acquires Strategic Stake in Capcom to Expand Global Influence
Iran Intensifies Strikes on Saudi Oil Infrastructure as Regional War Escalates
Saudi Arabia Targets South African Professionals in New Recruitment Drive Amid Regional Uncertainty
Formula One Faces Major Financial Hit as Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Cancelled Amid Middle East Conflict
U.S. and Saudi Firms Launch Local Production of Attritable Drone Systems in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia and UAE Warn Rising Gulf Tensions Could Endanger Regional Security
Saudi Arabia Rejects Claims It Encouraged Prolonged War With Iran
Saudi Arabia to Host World’s Largest Single-Cell Protein Plant as Food Security Push Accelerates
Saudi Crown Prince Urges Trump to Continue Military Pressure on Iran
Iran Intensifies Drone Campaign Against Saudi Arabia as Gulf Conflict Escalates
When Is Eid al-Fitr 2026? Saudi Arabia Awaits Moon Sighting to Confirm End of Ramadan
When Is Eid al-Fitr 2026? Saudi Arabia Awaits Moon Sighting to Confirm End of Ramadan
Iranian Missile Strike Damages Five U.S. Refueling Aircraft at Saudi Air Base
Iranian Missile Strike Damages Five U.S. Refueling Aircraft at Saudi Air Base
Washington State Pilot Among Six U.S. Airmen Killed in Military Aircraft Crash Over Iraq
Severe Storm Threat Looms Over Washington as Tornado Risk and Damaging Winds Target Mid-Atlantic
Trump Supports FCC Warning to Broadcasters Over Iran War Reporting
Trump Supports FCC Warning to Broadcasters Over Iran War Reporting
Saudi Stocks Edge Lower as Tadawul All Share Index Slips Slightly at Market Close
Iranian Missile and Drone Strike Targets Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base Hosting US Aircraft
Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Drone Over Eastern Province as Iranian Strike Campaign Intensifies
Middle East War Reshapes Gulf Economies as Saudi Arabia and Oman Gain Strategic Leverage While UAE Faces Economic Shock
Iranian Ambassador in Riyadh Blames ‘Enemies’ for Attacks Across the Gulf
Israeli Envoy Ron Dermer Reportedly Visits Saudi Arabia for Discussions on Potential Lebanon Talks
Formula One Cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix Scheduled for April
Iran’s Ambassador in Riyadh Rejects Claims Tehran Targeted Saudi Oil Facilities
Saudi Arabia Declares 2026 ‘Year of Artificial Intelligence’ in Major Push for Data-Driven Economy
Saudi Arabia’s 2018 Budget Signals Strong Push for Non-Oil Economic Growth
Pakistan Envoy in Riyadh Says Regional Diplomacy Intensifying to Prevent Wider Middle East War
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Dozens of Drones as Regional Strikes Kill Two in Oman
Saudi Arabia Redirects Oil Exports to Red Sea Ports as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile and Drone Barrage as Regional Conflict Intensifies
Iran Expands Drone and Missile Campaign Across Gulf as Conflict With US and Israel Intensifies
Muslims Worldwide Await Saudi Moon Sighting to Confirm Eid al-Fitr 2026 Date
F1 Calendar Faces Major Disruption as Middle East Conflict Threatens Bahrain and Saudi Races
Trump Says Most US Aircraft Hit in Saudi Base Attack Suffered Minimal Damage
Trump Says Most US Aircraft Hit in Saudi Base Attack Suffered Minimal Damage
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Forces Saudi Arabia Into Major Oil Production Shut-In
Strait of Hormuz Crisis Forces Saudi Arabia Into Major Oil Production Shut-In
Saudi Arabia Slashes Oil Output as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Cuts Deep Into Gulf Revenues
0:00
/
0:00
×