Mosque Founder in Northern France Faces Prison for Financial Crimes

Tough times for Amirouche O., 47, tried for "breach of trust", "money laundering of tax fraud" and "fraud in social benefits", following a preliminary investigation into the financing of two real estate properties. According to the prosecution, the tax authorities reported in April 2021 that he had, under the status of the Association fraternelle du quartier Saint-Jacques, acquired in his name a building, avenue de Petite-Synthe, for a total of 210,000 €, while he has been living on the RSA and family allowances since 2011, reports La Voix du Nord. Sublet to a mechanic, the building intended to house the Maison du savoir, a tutoring association, was bringing him monthly rents, but Amirouche declared "zero euros of income to the tax authorities for years".

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Amirouche and his sister Fatiha, 49, president of "Maisons de savoir" had been arrested in May 2022. During the searches on the premises, the investigators had noted "the presence of a school", which "is the subject of an incidental investigation", for "opening a private educational establishment without authorization", the prosecution had reported. In addition to the misappropriation of funds for personal purposes, the founder of the Al Houda mosque is also accused of money laundering (330,000 € traceable have been laundered), social benefit fraud, opening and running a school without authorization, undeclared work, and refusing to close an establishment despite a formal notice.

The prosecution is seeking three years in prison, including two years firm, with a delayed committal order against Amirouche. In addition, the obligation to repay the civil parties, the confiscation of his two real estate properties and all the sums seized, in cash and on his bank accounts. The Nord Department, in charge of the RSA payment, is claiming a sum of 19,000 €, while the CAF is claiming a total of 31,000 € for the benefits unduly paid. An 18-month suspended sentence was requested against Fatiha, his sister, the front woman of the Maison du savoir.