Samir Nasri was taken into custody on Thursday at the premises of the Financial Investigation and Research Brigade of the Paris judicial police, it has been revealed. Le ParisienThe former Olympique de Marseille, Arsenal, and French national team midfielder, now a pundit for Canal Plus, was questioned for about ten hours as part of a judicial investigation into drug trafficking and money laundering. The former player was released on Thursday evening. At this stage of the proceedings, no charges have been filed against him. His detention is part of a broader investigation focusing on suspected drug importation, organized crime, and money laundering related to drug importation.
An investigation into an alleged money laundering network
The case concerns an alleged money laundering network linked to criminal activities. Two names appear at the heart of the investigation: Hakim Berrebouh, nicknamed "Wild boar", presented as a Marseille drug trafficker imprisoned since 2021, and Olivier Sabbah, known as "Paulo", described as one of the alleged key figures in the money laundering operation linked to Berrebouh's activities. Samir Nasri is believed to be involved in the aspect of the investigation concerning money laundering as part of an organized group. Investigators are particularly interested in his former role in the operation of the XS, a nightclub located in Ivry-sur-Seine, in the Val-de-Marne. The former footballer was reportedly the manager before becoming one of the shareholders around 2016.
The role of the former player scrutinized
The investigation aims to determine whether the establishment was used, directly or indirectly, to circulate or launder money from criminal activities. Samir Nasri's detention allowed investigators to question him about his past involvement with the company, his potential connections to other individuals involved in the case, and the nature of the financial transactions under examination. No charges were filed following his questioning.
A sensitive matter for the former international player
Samir Nasri, with 41 caps for the French national team, remains a well-known figure in French football. A product of the Marseille youth academy, he also played for Arsenal, Manchester City, Sevilla, Antalyaspor, West Ham, and Anderlecht before transitioning into a media career after retiring from professional football. This arrest now places him in a serious legal case involving accusations of money laundering as part of an organized drug trafficking operation.
