Fouad Belkacem seeks asylum in Belgium to avoid possible deportation to Morocco
Fouad Belkacem has filed an asylum application in Belgium from prison. The former head of Sharia4Belgium, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison, now holds only Moroccan nationality after being stripped of his Belgian citizenship in 2018.
The application was reported on Wednesday, September 30, by VRT NWS. Far-right MP Francesca Van Belleghem, of Vlaams Belang, made the information public.
The MP believes Belkacem is seeking to avoid deportation to Morocco. In her statement, she presents this intention as likely. The specific grounds cited in the asylum application are not detailed in the information consulted.
Born in Rumst to Moroccan parents, Belkacem acquired Belgian nationality during his teenage years. He held both nationalities before the Antwerp Court of Appeal stripped him of his Belgian citizenship on October 23, 2018.
Twelve years in prison for leading Sharia4Belgium
The judges said he had seriously failed to fulfill his obligations as a Belgian citizen. His conviction as the leader of Sharia4Belgium weighed in the decision: the organization recruited and indoctrinated young people in Belgium to send them to fight in Syria.
As early as 2018, his lawyer had announced plans to use the available legal remedies to prevent his deportation to Morocco. Reports published at the time said his prison sentences were due to end in May 2027.
