Belgium to deport Saudi imam on pretext of extremism

Belgian authorities will deport a Saudi imam in the country’s largest mosque on allegations of spreading extremist ideology and threatening national security.

Belgian Minister of Refugee and Immigration Affairs, Theo Francken, told local radio station, Bel RTL yesterday that the residence permit of the Saudi imam had been cancelled.

“We have had some very clear indications that he was radicalised, Salafist and conservative. He was dangerous for our society and national security,” Franken said, without revealing the imam’s identity.

Asked about the decision’s negative repercussions on relations with Saudi Arabia, Francken said: “It may happen, but the important thing is that we are fighting extremism.”

Last week, local media reported that mosques in the country would be monitored by eight federal institutions, including the military intelligence and tougher measures would be applied.