On December 19 in Ajaccio, Maître Don-Georges Pintrel, Adel Khalaoui's lawyer, spoke alongside representatives of the Human Rights League (LDH), Elsa Renaut and André Paccou. Together, they exposed a situation that they judge “profoundly unfair”: the planned expulsion of a man who has been integrated into Corsica for more than two decades.
Maître Pintrel took the floor to recall the facts. Adel Khalaoui, 53, of Tunisian nationality, resides in Corsica with a residence permit valid until 2028. Married since 2016, he adopted a child with his wife in 2022 and has worked for several years in construction for the same employer . “ Everything seemed to indicate that he had found his place in our society”underlined the lawyer, before specifying: “ But today, the administration is brushing aside 22 years of life and efforts by invoking old criminal convictions. »
An expulsion motivated by old facts
The expulsion procedure is based on criminal convictions for domestic violence, which occurred in 2019 and 2020. Although serious, these facts were judged and punished at the time. “Mr. Khalaoui served his sentence and was reconciled with his wife, who never wanted to be separated from him”recalled the lawyer. Indeed, after an investigation, the judge converted the sentence to placement under home surveillance, allowing the couple to remain united.
For Maître Pintrel, this expulsion decision amounts to reopening a case closed by the courts: “This past constitutes neither a current threat nor sufficient reason to justify such a measure. » The lawyer also points out that last July, the departmental eviction commission issued an unfavorable opinion, considering that the legal conditions were not met.
A procedure considered expeditious and dehumanizing
Despite this opinion, the prefect of Corsica maintained his expulsion order, issued on October 8, 2024. This choice, for Elsa Renaut, representative of the LDH, illustrates a “blind and inhumane migration policy”. She denounces an accelerated procedure, marked by the delivery of a simple post-it indicating the date of the expulsion.
Ms. Khalaoui, present at the conference, could not contain her tears when talking about this situation. “She sent many letters asking for clemency from the prefect, but received no response,” explained Maître Pintrel. For the couple, this expulsion would mean the end of a life built together and the questioning of the adoption of their child.
A symbol of the excesses of migration policies
The LDH took advantage of this conference to place the case of Adel Khalaoui in a broader context. André Paccou, spokesperson for the organization, denounced the dangers of the law “asylum immigration”adopted in January 2024. “ This text, supported by the far right, aims to systematize expulsions, without taking into account human situations or fundamental rights.he declared.
For Elsa Renaut, this affair reveals the injustice of a “ double punishment”: “Mr. Khalaoui was tried and served his sentence. Why should he be punished a second time by expulsion, which only concerns foreigners? » She also recalled that the 2003 European directive requires considering the impact of an expulsion on the family, an aspect ignored in this decision.
A call to the prefect before it is too late
On the eve of the planned date for Mr. Khalaoui's removal, his supporters are hoping for a start from the administration. “We ask the prefect to suspend this measure until the Bastia administrative court has ruled on the appeal filed,” pleaded Master Pintrel.
For Adel Khalaoui, the issue goes beyond the administrative question. “It is not just about one man, but about a fight for respect for fundamental rights and the values of humanity”concluded by André Paccou.
