The Belgian state wants to expel a radicalised hate preacher based in Maaseik (Limburg) because he poses a “threat to society”. However, the Council for Foreigners’ Affairs has opposed this, as reported by the Mediahuis Group newspapers on Thursday.
OCAM and State Security reports describe Abdallah Ouahbour as a hate preacher with a high threat level.
The person is said to be one of the main leaders of the “Masseik group”, which is linked to the Casablanca and Madrid attacks that killed 250 people in Spain in 2003 and 2004. A latest report by the State Security Service also refers to his ideological and financial support for the Islamic State terrorist group.
Last year, the Immigration Service initiated proceedings to deport Abdallah Ouahbour, who is married and has two children. In June, the State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Sammy Mahdi (CD&V), decided that the 48-year-old man, who has Moroccan nationality but was born in Belgium and has lived there since 1990, had to leave the country.
Mr Ouahbour had opposed his deportation because, according to him, he suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome and fears being arrested in Morocco.
The Council for Foreigners’ Affairs decided to reject the application for expulsion on the basis of other factors. According to this body, the OCAM and State Security reports do not provide a “solid basis” to expel anyone. The allegations are “too vague” and “too general”. The Council believes that the State Security Service should formulate more concrete statements. The Council also points out that the analyses were carried out in connection with a conviction for terrorism, although this should not play a role.
The Council for Foreigners is considering whether to appeal to the Constitutional Court.Sud Info
