Spain Expels Moroccan Imams Accused of Extremism Without Trial, Citing National Security

In recent months, people suspected of jihadist terrorism are simply expelled, without prior trial. "Expulsion, in cases where the behaviors are on the verge of being punishable, can be more effective for the general interest," explain sources to EFE, specifying that in the recent past, these people would have been expelled after being convicted and having served their sentence.

The persons concerned are considered a "threat to national security", a reason provided for by the immigration law to order the expulsion of foreigners from Spanish territory. Mohamed Said Badaoui, president of the Muslim community of Reus (Tarragona), residing in Catalonia for more than 30 years, was expelled to Morocco on November 19, after spending a month in detention at the CIE in Barcelona. Another imam, Amarouch Azbi, was also expelled the same day. They are both accused of jihadist indoctrination, particularly among minors.

The spokesperson for Podemos in parliament, supported by those of ERC, the CUP, JxCat and En Comú Podem, denounced the expulsion of Badaoui, considering him a victim of "political repression and Islamophobia" on the part of the State. A few weeks earlier, it was the imam of Talayuela (Cáceres), Yahya Benaouda, who had been expelled for Salafism. According to the police and the Contentious Chamber of the National Court, he contributed to preventing the integration of Muslims in the region and to the discrimination and social segregation of women.