In a post that went viral on social media and was widely reported in French media, the imam referred to “the three-coloured flag” as “satanic”.
The France government of Emmanuel Macron has expelled a Tunisian Islamic cleric for what it described as “radicalism” and “unacceptable remarks”.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday evening, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that Imam Mahjoub Mahjoubi was expelled less than 12 hours after his arrest.
“The radical “Imam” Mahjoub Mahjoubi has just been expelled from the national territory, less than 12 hours after his arrest.
“This is the demonstration that the Immigration law, without which such a rapid expulsion would not have been possible, makes France stronger. We won’t let anything go,” Darmanin said.
In a post that went viral on social media and was widely reported in French media, the imam referred to “the three-coloured flag” as “satanic”.
According to Reuters, Mahjoubi, who preached in the Ettaouba mosque of Bagnols-sur-Ceze, southern France, has denied any wrongdoing.
He told French media that his comments had been taken out of context and that he had not meant to disrespect the French flag. The French flag has three colours: blue, white and red.
His lawyer told French media he will appeal the expulsion procedure.
French media published excerpts of the expulsion order, which stated that Mahjoubi had “conveyed a literal, backward, intolerant, and violent conception of Islam, likely to encourage behaviors contrary to the values of the Republic, discrimination against women, identity retreat, tensions with the Jewish community, and jihadist radicalization’.”
BFM reported that Mahjoubi was being held in administrative detention in the Paris region.
Darmanin did not specify where the imam had been held nor when, how and where to he was expelled.
Franceinfo reported that Mahjoubi was on a plane headed to Tunis on Thursday evening.
Darmanin said that the French government’s new immigration law, voted earlier this year, had allowed for the quick expulsion of the imam.
With the far-right RN party leading in polls for European elections in June, President Emmanuel Macron is under pressure to be tough on immigration and identity issues.