Stripped of his French nationality, he wants to return to Morocco but remains stuck in detention

The man was placed in administrative detention on September 4, a few hours after being notified of a deportation order issued by the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes. Four days later, the authorities asked the courts for permission to extend his detention.

At the hearing, the individual did not contest his return to Morocco. “I would really like to return to Morocco, and have since 2024,” he said, according to the order of the Marseille Judicial Court.

The problem concerns his travel documents. The man explains that the only way to return is to obtain a Moroccan passport, but that an issue in the records is delaying its issuance. His sister, who is in Morocco, is said to have taken steps herself to resolve the problem.

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For its part, the prefecture considers that he already had sufficient time to obtain this document. He had previously been placed under house arrest and had already experienced two periods of detention. The authorities say they requested that his journey be arranged and are now awaiting the necessary laissez-passer.

Morocco recognizes him, but departure remains impossible

The Moroccan authorities recognized the man as one of their nationals, and the consular services were contacted. At the time of the hearing, however, their agreement allowing the removal to proceed in practice was still awaited.

The situation resulted directly from his loss of nationality. Such a measure does not automatically lead to expulsion from France, but it subsequently allows the authorities to initiate removal proceedings when the former dual national remains a citizen of another country.

The man had been sentenced in January 2014 to six years in prison for terrorist criminal conspiracy. The judge considers that he represents a threat to public order and points out that he has no valid travel document.

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His request to be placed under house arrest was not accepted. In particular, the law requires, in order to benefit from this measure, the prior surrender of a valid passport to the police or gendarmerie. This is precisely the document he does not have.

The court therefore extended his detention for a maximum period of 26 days. It may continue until midnight on October 4, unless he departs for Morocco or a new court decision is issued before that deadline.

The case thus results in an unusual situation: France wants to remove him, Morocco has recognized him as a national, and the individual insists that he wants to leave. But until the consular document allowing the journey is issued, his return remains on hold.