The Council of State confirms the expulsion of imam Mahjoub Mahjoubi, accused of “calls to hatred”

The highest administrative court ruled that some of the Tunisian imam’s sermons incited discrimination against women and Jews.

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Tunisian imam Mahjoub Mahjoubi in Soliman (Tunisia), February 23, 2024. (FETHI BELAID / AFP)

He will have to stay in Tunisia. The Council of State confirmed, Friday March 29, the expulsion of Tunisian imam Mahjoub Mahjoubi. In an order that franceinfo was able to consult, the highest administrative court considers that certain of his comments made during prough “may be held to constitute acts of explicit and deliberate provocation of discrimination against women”.

The Council of State also mentions “acts of provocation to hatred or violence against groups of people” and especially, “in the current international context, comments relating to Jews” as well as “those criticizing French society and promoting the holy war”.

He intends to continue to contest his expulsion

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin welcomed this decision on the social network “important victory against radical Islam” according to him. Vized by an investigation for advocating terrorism and radical preaching, theThe imam of Bagnols-sur-Cèze (Gard) was arrested and then expelled on February 22 to Tunisia. Seized in summary proceedings, the administrative court validated this referral on March 4.

The Council of State notes that Mahjoub Mahjoubi, being married to a Tunisian woman living in France with whom he had six children, “is not devoid of any ties to Tunisia”, which means that expelling him does not contravene respect for his family life. Questioned on BFMTV shortly after the announcement of this decision, Mahjoub Mahjoubi reported a “enormous pressure” on his family remaining in France. He further assured that he wanted to go “until the end” legal avenues to contest his expulsion.


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