Moroccan Man Convicted of Domestic Violence in France, Linked to Religious Extremism

The trial of a 41-year-old Moroccan "refugee in an extreme religion" prosecuted for violence against his partner took place before the criminal court of Alençon. He is accused of having punched her in the arm on October 8, 2021, which had resulted in a temporary work incapacity (ITT) of three days, reports Actu.fr. The victim had opposed his desire to take their two children (daughters) to the morning prayer at 5 a.m. She filed a complaint against her husband and wanted to leave him. "A good Muslim does not divorce," the defendant had reacted.

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From their return from Morocco that same year, the couple’s relationship, married in 2012, did not improve. Denigration and insults were the daily lot of the mother of the family. According to the explanations provided by her during the hearing on Thursday, January 5, the defendant was increasingly frequenting the mosque and imposing on the family to learn Arabic and the first twelve chapters of the Quran. "If you keep speaking French, I’ll disfigure you," he had once said to his wife. "It’s not serious, daddy has the right to hit mommy to educate her," he justified himself to their daughter, who had witnessed the scene.

At the end of the hearing on Thursday, February 9, 2023, the defendant was sentenced to four months in prison with probation for two years and a ban on going to the victim’s home. The court also requires him to undergo care and a course to fight sexism.