Titled: Deportation Denied forconvicted IS-terrorist Abu Walaa
Extradition Appeal Unsuccessful for Abu Walaa
Step into the courtroom in Düsseldorf, where Abu Walaa, the 41-year-old Iraqi, once considered the Germany chief of the Islamic State, stands surrounded by eight bailiffs, his parka hood drawn, ankle cuffs on. His eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence has failed to sway the Administrative Court's decision—his appeal against expulsion has been turned down.
Born as an asylum seeker in 2001, Abu Walaa is a father of seven, with two women. Currently serving his sentence, he has already fathered seven children. Yet, the court sees him as a threat to national security, citing a lack of evidence showing a change in his previous stance as an IS terrorist or signs of deradicalization. There is a risk of recurrence, the judge ruled, and the interests of his children must take second place.
Spotlight: Abu Walaa's Past and Present
Once the imam of the mosque of the now banned German-speaking Islamic Circle Hildesheim, Abu Walaa has been participating in a de-radicalization program for almost two years. Despite distancing himself from jihadism, the court found the brief two-year participation in the deradicalization program too short for a credible change of heart.
Throughout his trial, Abu Walaa refused to comment on his relationship with his children or his current view of his crimes. The court documented that he came to Germany as an asylum seeker in July 2001 and then fathered seven children.
Until his arrest in 2016, he represented a salafist-jihadist ideology as an imam in a Hildesheim mosque. He was considered a leading religious authority in this spectrum and played a key role for the IS in Germany as a recruiter, motivating young jihadists to travel abroad or carry out attacks in Germany.
TakingAccountability
Initially, there was no sign of remorse following his conviction. On the contrary, he insisted on his innocence for a long time and even considered the trial against him a show trial. However, in a recent hearing, he claimed to have undergone an awakening, regretting his actions and adopting a non-violent stance.
Legal Implications
The court also confirmed conditions for release, such as daily police reporting and a smartphone ban. His lawyer argued that these conditions hinder his job search and family contact. The representative of the district that issued the deportation order countered that the children are allowed to visit him in prison and there is no contact ban.
Leaving the courtroom without saying a word, Abu Walaa moved through a side exit to await his transport. The future of his potential deportation remains uncertain due to international diplomatic negotiations and pending legal proceedings.
References
- "Current Legal Proceedings: Abu Walaa, formerly the IS chief in Germany, lost his appeal against expulsion." [Enrichment Data]
- The Commission, which has been involved in the preparation of the draft directive on counter-terrorism, is also scrutinizing the politics surrounding the case of Abu Walaa's deportation.
- Following the court's decision to deny deportation for Abu Walaa, the general-news media outlets are reporting on crime-and-justice issues, including debates about the role of deradicalization programs and the length of time required for a credible change of heart.
