Imam set for deportation from France has fled, likely to Belgium: Authorities

By Shweta Desai

PARIS (AA) - French authorities announced Wednesday that imam Hassan Iquioussen, whose deportation to Morocco was greenlighted by the top court, has fled the country.

Georges-Francois Leclerc, prefect of the Hauts-de-France region, told a press conference that Iquioussen is likely to have escaped to Belgium.

Government spokesman Olivier Veran also told the media that Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin spoke with the Moroccan envoy to notify the authorities about Iquioussen’s escape.

Police and security agencies who reached his home Tuesday after the Council of State upheld the expulsion order did not find him at the residence.

Leclerc said Iquioussen has become an offender in the eyes of the law. He added that the prosecution of the Valenciennes court has been approached to initiate further action.

Iquioussen’s lawyer said he will continue the legal battle and approach the European Court of Human Rights once again for a review of the Council’s decision.

The Interior Ministry in July ordered the removal of the Moroccan-French imam and canceled his residence permit for making anti-Semitic, homophobic and "anti-women" remarks during sermons or conferences, some of which were made almost 20 years ago.

According to information shared by Darmanin on broadcaster France 5, more than 700 radicalized foreigners have been deported since 2017.