The Paris administrative court upheld the deportation of French-born Moroccan imam Hassan Iquioussen, dismissing his appeal of the decision to deport him made by the Interior Minister on July 29, 2022, international media reported on Monday.
The imam had been accused of engaging in explicit and deliberate incitement of discrimination, hatred, and violence against Jews, women, and non-Muslims. The court order highlighted comments he had made over several years.
French intelligence had also classified the Imam as a “Fiche S,” the “S” derived from “state security” indicating a significant threat to national security. The alert category indicates surveillance is warranted, but not arrest.
Iquioussen had received an expulsion order 18 months before his deportation for his proselytizing and remarks inciting hatred and discrimination, “contrary to the French republic’s values.”
Iquioussen’s lawyer, Lucie Simon, alleged that the court decision disregarded all of the defendant’s arguments and the context in which remarks were made, citing “comments more than ten to 20 years old.” The speeches and video footage date from 2003 to 2019.
Simon also criticized the state for infringing upon freedom of speech, accused the Interior Ministry of relying on abridged remarks, and asserted that since the disputed facts were over five years old, he no longer posed a current threat.
Born in France, Iquioussen chose not to opt for French nationality despite having five children and 15 grandchildren, all French.
Currently, he retains the option to appeal to the Paris administrative court of appeal, the State Council, and the European Court of Human Rights.
The Imam, who initially fled to Belgium, was expelled to Casablanca, Morocco in January 2023, where he presently lives with his sister.