The former leader of the terrorist group Sharia4Belgium, Fouad Belkacem, has applied for asylum in Belgium. Far right lawmaker Francesca Van Belleghem (Vlaams Belang) brought the news to the attention of VRT NEWS. Belkacem could be released next year, after serving his sentence in a Belgian prison. As he has also lost his Belgian nationality, he must, in principle, be extradited to Morocco.
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Former leader of Sharia4Belgium, Fouad Belkacem, applies for asylum in Belgium
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In 2015 Fouad Belkacem, who was born in Rumst (Antwerp Province), was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment as he served as the leader and founder of the terrorist group Sharia4Belgium.
He recruited and indoctrinated young Muslims in Belgium to prepare them for armed conflict in Syria. He also sought to overthrow democracy in Belgium in order to introduce Sharia law here.
His sentence expires in 2027, at which point Belkacem will be released. He would like to remain in Belgium thereafter. According to information VRT NEWS has received from MP Francesca Van Belleghem (Vlaams Belang), he has now submitted an application for asylum, as he has also lost his Belgian nationality as a result of his conviction.
In principle he cannot simply remain in Belgium once he is released. As he still holds Moroccan nationality, he must, in principle, be extradited to Morocco.
The Office of the Commissioner-General for Refugees and Stateless Persons will now prioritise the processing of his case.
"Model prisoner"
VRT NEWS understands he is said to have behaved in an exemplary manner during his imprisonment. He has already been allowed to leave prison briefly on several occasions on a temporary leave permit. That is said to have gone smoothly. Belkacem also has a Belgian wife and three children here.