officials received at the police headquarters
Lawyers and officials of the Bleuets mosque in Marseille, threatened with closure due to “words legitimizing violence” according to the police headquarters, met with state representatives on Monday, we learned from both parties.
The police prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône had notified the mosque, located in the northern districts of the city, on August 20 of his intention to close it, “at the request of Mr. Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior”.
A procedure notably justified according to the public authorities by comments and online publications of Imam Ismail, real name Smaïn Bendjilali, the main French preacher of the mosque.
The procedure provides that the mosque then has 10 days to respond to the ministry’s grievances in an attempt to avoid closure.
A decision expected “soon”
Lawyers for the imam and the association managing the mosque had requested a meeting with the police headquarters. A meeting took place on Monday, both parties said.
“The procedure is still ongoing, a decision will be made soon”indicated the police prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône.
During the meeting, representatives of the mosque, accompanied by the president of the Departmental Council of the Muslim Faith, proposed “corrective measures”said Me Rafik Chekkat, one of their lawyers, present at the meeting.
Appeal to the administrative courts
This includes removing certain online publications, “not that we consider them illegal but as a measure of appeasement”the lawyer said.
The delegation also highlighted Imam Ismail’s commitment to undergo training “secularism and values of the Republic” and highlighted the many social activities of the mosque, located in a poor part of the city.
“We believe that these measures can allay doubts”said Me Rafik Chekkat. “The ball is now in the prefecture’s court”continued the lawyer, reiterating the intention to challenge any possible closure decision before the administrative courts.
