Belkacem, leader of Sharia4Belgium, loses Belgian nationality

Fouad Belkacem, leader of the radical Sharia4Belgium group, loses his Belgian nationality. The Antwerp Court of Appeal ruled on Tuesday. Belkacem was sentenced to 12 years in 2015 for leading a terrorist organization. Belkacem only has Moroccan nationality.

According to the court, Belkacem constitutes a permanent threat to public security and has "seriously breached its obligations as a Belgian citizen". His lawyer, Liliane Verjauw, announced in Het Laatste Nieuws that his client was considering suing the verdict. "And then the European Court of Human Rights is part of the possibilities."

Read also: Decapitation was a recurring activity

Verjauw fears that Belgium wants to expand Belkacem in Morocco. According to her, he would not be safe here. Het Laatste Nieuws Verjauw said:

"In recent weeks, it has become clear that regimes such as Morocco treat political opponents.There are many examples where people are not expelled because they risk being prosecuted and tortured. "

Belkacem himself was not present at the verdict. The clergyman is considered the leader of Sharia4Belgium, a jihadist network in Belgium. Thousands of Belgians were recruited via the network for jihad in Syria. Belkacem had already been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the organization. He will be released in 2027.