Bremen Court Allows Deportation of Controversial Imam

A Tunisian imam, active in the Islamic Cultural Center in Bremen, has been cleared for deportation by the Higher Administrative Court despite having four children. The court decision came after the imam was found to have called for armed struggle and expressed hatred against Jews, in addition to supporting Al-Qaeda and jihadist ideologies.

He was previously convicted of assault and threats, resulting in a fine. Initially, the administrative court blocked his deportation, citing his statements as protected under freedom of religion and speech.

However, this ruling was overturned by the Higher Administrative Court. The Bremen Interior Authority had ordered his expulsion in 2021, including a 20-year ban on re-entry and residence, citing his dissemination of anti-constitutional views.

The decision has been welcomed by Bremen's Interior Senator Ulrich Mäurer, who emphasized the threat posed by such individuals to public safety. The police union sees this as a precedent for nationwide action against similar figures.

The imam, born in 1975, has been in Germany since 2001 for studies and has worked at the cultural center since 2006. The deportation order underscores Germany's stance on addressing extremist rhetoric and maintaining national security.