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Expelled imam âgets French visaâ
Monday, 17 May, 2004, 15:27 GMT 16:27 UK An Algerian imam deported from France for defending wife-beating says he has a visa to return. It follows a French court ruling that last monthâs deportation order for Abdelkader Bouziane was unlawful. Mr Bouziane, 52, who was the imam of a mosque in Lyons, said he was looking forward to seeing his family again. It is still unclear when Mr Bouziane will return to France, but he told French television on Monday it would be "in a few hours". The cleric was deported to Algeria on 21 April for saying that the Koran authorised the stoning and beating of adulterous women. The remarks caused an outcry in France, with many Muslim leaders condemning them as un-Islamic. But two tribunals have ruled the deportation illegal and said Mr Bouziane should be allowed to return to France. Charges The new Interior Minister, Dominique de Villepin, had argued that the deportation was legal on the grounds that the imam used his mosque to advocate violence. But on Monday, his lawyer Mahmoud Hebia told the Associated Press: "I am in the process of organising his return to Lyon." He refused to say when the imam would return "in order to protect him". Mr Bouziane had lived in France for 25 years on a renewable residency permit and reportedly has 16 children there. But he may not get a friendly welcome from the French authorities. A state prosecutor has opened a case against him on charges of excusing a crime and encouraging harm to others. And French President Jacques Chirac said that if the law needed to be changed to prevent a repetition of the Bouziane saga, then modifications would be made. EMPHASIS ADDED Sixteen children?!? Isnât an investigation of polygamy or at least one of child abuse called for? Imamâs are not famous for their high salaries. Similarly, neither are their wives usually well compensated executives or major bread winners in any case. Where is the money coming from to support all of these children? If there is no readily apparent source of income, shouldnât the contributions to this violent thugâs life style be scrutinized thoroughly? This stinks like week old fish. At least Chirac has put down payment on a clue. Posted by: Zenster 2004-05-17 |
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