On Wednesday, the head of the Al-Houda mosque in Grande-Synthe was arrested along with his two sisters and the treasurer. They were taken into police custody, CNEWS has learned.
An operation by the department’s anti-fraud committee brought to light that an unauthorised madrassa was located on the mosque’s premises. The investigation also reveals opaque accounts.
Investigators found that funds originating from abroad, which corresponded to donations, were misappropriated to an estimated amount of 350,000 euros, as well as fraud in social benefits, estimated at 70,000 euros.
The main suspect is the unemployed head of the Salafist mosque, Ouarab A. (49 years old, known to the Territorial Intelligence Service). The fraudulent transfers went over the associations presided over by his two sisters (46 and 47 years old).
The embezzled funds were used to buy real estate, in particular the mosque to which the madrasa is attached. During a search of the mosque, police officers found 25,240 euros and 300 English pounds, but also evidence of payment to the imam without explanation.
During his arrest, the main suspect tried to grab the gun of one of the police officers who participated in the raid.www.cnews.fr