Belgian Court Releases Controversial French Imam Under Electronic Monitoring

The imam of Lourches, in northern France, subject to a European arrest warrant, is the target of an expulsion decision issued by the French authorities. The preacher had decided to leave France where he is accused of making statements deemed "contrary to the values of the Republic."

According to a source close to the case, the Belgian justice system has agreed to release Imam Hassan Iquioussen and place him under electronic surveillance at a friend’s home in Belgium, considering that this measure is sufficient to prevent the risk of the accused fleeing.

The imam will soon leave the Tournai prison. He will be required to remain at this address 24 hours a day. The Belgian justice system has thus just refused the extradition request made by its French counterpart.