Moroccan Man Sentenced in France, Faces Deportation Limbo Amid Morocco’s Refusal

In addition to the prison sentence, the court banned Abdessamad from appearing in Hérault for three years. This conviction follows a shooting that occurred on October 10. That day, he had been shot around 7:30 pm. He had been injured in the ankle and calf, on Avenue du Lauragais, and had been hospitalized at the CHU for a double fracture. In court, he claims he had nothing to do with this shooting. He is nevertheless accused of having violated his house arrest and of not having reported twice a week to the Toulouse police station.

Abdessamad was benefiting from a house arrest measure in Toulouse, as part of a previous court decision. Last August 11, he had received a one-year prison sentence for violence with the use or threat of a weapon and was to serve his sentence at home. But on October 21, while he was on a powerful scooter in Montpellier without wearing a helmet, he was recognized by the police. The young Moroccan refused to comply, multiplying traffic offenses. Arrested, he will be tried for the two aforementioned charges, then sentenced.

Abdessamad arrived in France at the age of ten. He will soon become known to the justice system. The one who grew up in a foster home has committed multiple offenses for which he has appeared several times before the juvenile court, then the criminal court, for theft, refusal to comply, escape, criminal conspiracy... Pronounced in 2020, his 12th conviction was accompanied by a ban from French territory for ten years. He was supposed to leave French territory the same year, but Morocco, nor any other North African country, agreed to welcome him, reports Midi Libre. Since then, the young man has received prison sentences for his offenses followed by at least four stays in administrative detention centers (CRA).

"Why don’t you go back to Morocco yourself?" the court president asked him. "It’s complicated, Your Honor, I’m proud to be Moroccan but Morocco doesn’t recognize me," the defendant replied. "If you stay in France, you risk years in prison..." the magistrate continued. For Abdessamad’s lawyer, "the situation is inextricable." "With his criminal record, Morocco will not recognize him and France will not give him a residence permit. If he goes to prison, he will go back to the CRA, before being released, then arrested again. In fact, he is condemned to wander all his life," she added.