Beauvais Imam Countersues After Mosque Closure Over Extremism Allegations

A new twist in the case of the closure of the Grand Mosque of Beauvais for six months. While the incriminated imam Islem Eddy Abou had not publicly spoken out about this decision by the prefecture until now, he has decided to file a complaint.

According to his lawyer Me Sefen Guez Guez, the person accused wants to clear his name in the face of "particularly serious accusations that are detrimental to his honor." Moreover, the lawyer points out, he "has never been heard by the police for the reported statements."

In a statement to Saphirnews, the defense specified: "my client wants to defend his honor. He will soon file a complaint against X, for slanderous denunciation. The Beauvais mosque, which is defended by Me Samim Bolaky, has been unjustly closed for three weeks. It is important to react, because there has been no judicial consequence against the imam" so far.

For his lawyer, "if he does not react, not only will his honor be tarnished, but he risks encountering difficulties for the rest of his career. The truth must be separated from the false." Islem Eddy Lecocq is, to date, an employee of the mosque.