Inside the 20 men-in-a-cell UAE prison housing Quincy Promes: Former Ajax star is in a freezing cold jail where no fruit or vegetables are served and rape is ‘an everyday occurrence’ – as he hopes to be sent to Russia, not Holland

A new report has revealed the extent of Quincy Promes’ brutal living conditions in a United Arab Emirates prison.

Promes, a winger who has played for teams such as Ajax and Sevilla in his career, is serving a six-year prison sentence, which was imposed last month, for his role in smuggling 1,363 kilos of cocaine with a estimated street value of £65 million. .

That came after Promes received an 18-month sentence in June 2023 for stabbing his cousin in the knee at a family party.

Having been far from any judicial process and living in Russia, contracted by Spartak Moscow, the 32-year-old was detained by border control a month ago and banned from traveling back to Russia.

Now, in a report by crime journalist John van den Heuvel for TelegraafThe harsh reality of Promes’ new life has been detailed as he hopes to be sent back to Russia as soon as possible.

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In a prison in Al Aweer, Promes reportedly stays in a six-person cell, sleeping on a double bunk, with up to 20 prisoners also sleeping on the floor of the cell.

Although he is allowed to exercise three times a week, there is said to be no exercise equipment, making it difficult for Promes to stay in shape while serving his sentence.

The challenge is made more difficult because fruits and vegetables are not served, and Promes is allowed to watch television outside his cell during the day along with the other prisoners.

He is said to be housed with four other Dutch inmates who are also awaiting extradition, along with other inmates, mostly of Pakistani, Egyptian and Indian descent, who are addicts and unaware of Promes’ status.

Perhaps most heartbreaking, rape is reported to be a daily occurrence at the prison, with few guards patrolling the prison, which keeps detainees in freezing and noisy conditions due to powerful air conditioners.

Inmates in jail are reportedly required to have their heads shaved at all times from the moment they enter, and are punished if they have long hair, with punishments including being banned from watching television and calling home.

There are also said to be concerns about prisoners being allowed visits.

Although he is Dutch, Promes is said to have requested his extradition to Russia rather than the Netherlands so he could avoid his prison sentence in his native country.

Russia, like the Netherlands, is said to have requested Promes to be sent to the country due to suspected tax fraud.

Promes’ lawyers had previously said of his situation: ‘We note that an independent judge in Dubai will now decide on the Dutch extradition request. In general, extradition procedures can take a long time and involve many formal steps and requirements.

‘This is also very common in the Netherlands. The outcome and duration of the extradition proceedings cannot be predicted at this time.’