Gerald Darmanin, the French Minister of the Interior, stated that “discussions with Morocco regarding the expulsion of Imam Hassan Iquioussen to the Kingdom are on the right path.”
The official confirmed that both countries are in contact and coordinating on the Imam’s case, adding that he “will contact the Moroccan ambassador on this issue.”
The French Minister stated that “talks with Morocco on Imam Hassan Iquioussen are advancing in a virtuous manner,” noting that “the Moroccan side asked for additional information,” which French authorities delivered.
“The Moroccan imam, who is fleeing from French authorities, is still missing, and if he is arrested, he will be expelled to Morocco,” a French judicial source said in an interview with the newspaper Le Point.
Morocco suspended the travel pass it had issued for the Imam on August, which would have allowed the Imam to be expelled by France to the Kingdom.
Despite criticism, Gerald Darmanin confirmed that Hassan Iquioussen “was evading legal procedures because he committed a crime by not responding to a deportation decision from the police.”
Iquioussen is currently subject to a European arrest warrant, as he is accused of inciting “hatred and discrimination and bearing an Islamic vision contrary to the values of the French Republic,” according to the minister.
“If he is arrested tomorrow, he will be returned to France and presented before the investigating judge, or he will be released and then the police will arrest and deport him,” insisted Darmanin.
The Paris Administrative Court rejected an expulsion order issued on the 29th of last July.
However, the State Council reconsidered the decision, on the pretext that the expulsion of the imam to Morocco does not constitute a “serious and illegal attack on his private and family life,” which the Imam maintained before the court.
Darmanin described the court’s decision as a “great victory,” saying that he will continue to fight against “those who carry divisive teachings.”
Iquioussen, a prolific virtual and social media preacher in France, amassed about 180,000 followers on his YouTube channel and 46,000 followers on Facebook.
The decision to deport the controversial preacher increased discussions in France on the tough balance between security and civil freedoms.
French authorities maintain that Iquioussen’s deportation is part of a campaign against “Islamic extremism” and some individuals “dividing“ teachings.
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