Fouad Belkacem Seeks Asylum in Belgium as Release Nears

Fouad Belkacem, the former leader of the radical group Sharia4Belgium, has applied for asylum in Belgium while serving a prison sentence, according to Belgian MP Francesca Van Belleghem.

Belkacem, who was born in Rumst near Antwerp, is currently in prison and could potentially be released in about a year. His asylum application comes as authorities consider the possibility of his return to Morocco after his release.

Belkacem Could Face Return to Morocco

Belkacem is of Moroccan origin and previously held both Belgian and Moroccan citizenship. However, he lost his Belgian nationality after being sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2015.

He was convicted after being involved in recruiting young people to travel to Syria and fight for ISIS as part of his activities with Sharia4Belgium.

Van Belleghem, who brought the asylum application to public attention, said Belkacem now holds only Moroccan nationality. She claimed that his asylum request could be an attempt to prevent his return to Morocco.

Those claims are political statements about the purpose of his application. His asylum request must still go through the legal process and be assessed by the relevant Belgian authorities.

Justice Minister Responds

Belgian Justice Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt has also responded to the case.

Van Bossuyt said she would use all available legal measures to remove Belkacem from Belgian territory if the legal conditions allow it.

She also stressed that his asylum application will first be independently reviewed by the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons.

“I will follow this case closely and give it absolute priority,” Van Bossuyt said.

The minister also said she believes the asylum application is being used to prevent Belkacem’s return. She announced that the government plans to introduce measures targeting what it describes as abuse of asylum procedures submitted from prisons or closed detention centers.

Asylum Request Must Be Reviewed

Despite the political reaction surrounding the case, an asylum application does not automatically mean that a person will be allowed to remain in Belgium.

The application must be examined under Belgium’s asylum procedure, including an assessment by the competent authorities.

The case has attracted attention because of Belkacem’s past as the leader of Sharia4Belgium and his criminal conviction. His possible release and what happens afterward will depend on the legal decisions made by the Belgian authorities.

For now, Fouad Belkacem remains in prison while his asylum request is being considered.