France : Arrested in Morocco, a former Salafist shares his story

Julien (a nickname), a French former Salafist, has recently shared his story with Le Parisien, recalling his radicalized past.

It all started for him in 2010, when he was only 18 years old. Julien found answers to his «existential questions» in Salafist Islam. «It was the new black, Salafist literature was the best and the most widespread out there», he told the French daily newspaper.

«When you are part of the doctrine, you think that you are with the saved group», he added. Julien moved to Marseille and married a young convert. He frequently went to the mosque of El Hadi Doudi, who was expelled in April because of his radical preaching.

«We can consider that it is a gateway to violence, but beware, that does not mean that all Salafists are violent», he said describing Salafism.

Furthermore, Julien told Le Parisien that he settled down in Morocco, wishing «to live in a country where no one would not judge his faith».

In December 2014, he was arrested in the Kingdom for «plotting a terrorist attack». Detained for four months, he was acquitted and sent back to France. It is at this time that he gave up on Salafism : «Salafists have a rigid and fixed vision of Islam while I constantly question everything».