Smaïn Bendjilali, whose mosque is under threat of administrative closure due to his sermons accused of legitimizing violence, has been questioned by Marseille police since Tuesday morning.
The Figaro Marseille
Imam Ismaïl, well-known on social networks and the main preacher at the Bleuets mosque in the northern districts of Marseille, will be tried on October 3 for condoning terrorism, it has been learned The Figaro with one of his lawyers.
According to AFP, which quotes Marseille public prosecutor Nicolas Bessone, Smaïn Bendjilali, his real name, will have to answer for publications related to the situation in the Gaza Strip. As revealed by France Bleu Provence, he was taken into custody on Tuesday in this context.
Fermeture administrative
The mosque of which Smaïn Bendjilali is the principal imam is under threat of administrative closure due to his sermons, accused by the Interior Ministry of legitimizing violence. “The timing is amazing”his council is indignant. This Monday, representatives of the mosque had an appointment at the police headquarters to propose implementing a series of measures aimed at making the Ministry of the Interior reverse its decision.
This is the second time in a week that the imam of Les Bleuets has had a run-in with the law. Cannabis was found at his home during a search last week, while his son had been thrown out of a window by hooded individuals in a possible settling of scores.