Spain denies citizenship to Moroccan over «Islamist proselytizing»

Spanish courts have denied citizenship to a Moroccan national, upholding a 2022 decision by the Interior Ministry. A Spanish police investigation accused the Moroccan of «Islamist proselytizing» among unaccompanied minors in a reception center, according to El Confidencial Digital.

The accused allegedly urged the minors to strictly adhere to religious precepts, especially outside Muslim countries, and «justified certain Daesh terrorist actions», the same source added.

While the naturalization application was rejected, the courts dismissed the Interior Ministry's request for the Moroccan's expulsion under Article 54 of Organic Law 4/2000 on the rights and freedoms of foreign residents in Spain and their social integration.

This law defines participation in activities harmful to national security or foreign relations, or involvement in serious public order offenses, as «very serious offenses».