A Dutch court has ruled that stripping a convicted jihadist of his Dutch citizenship would be discriminatory, setting off a political firestorm. The decision allows 38-year-old Youness C., who fought for terrorist groups in Syria, to keep his Dutch passport despite efforts by the government to revoke it.
Youness C., a dual Dutch-Moroccan citizen, left the Netherlands to join Ahrar al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa in Syria. After returning in 2018, he was convicted of terrorism and sentenced to over five years in prison. Having served his time, he is now a free man. State Secretary of Justice and Security Ingrid Coenradie attempted to revoke his Dutch nationality and impose a 20-year entry ban, but the Amsterdam District Court sided with Youness C., citing international anti-discrimination laws.
The court argued that Dutch law unfairly targets dual nationals, as revocation wouldn’t apply to someone with only Dutch citizenship. “The State Secretary makes a distinction based on origin,” the ruling stated, calling it a violation of international agreements.
The decision sparked backlash, particularly from right-wing politician Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV, the Netherlands’ largest party. Wilders slammed the ruling as an absurdity, questioning why law-abiding Dutch citizens must accept the return of a convicted terrorist. He also took aim at the judge’s alleged past affiliation with the progressive liberal D66 party, calling the ruling a political decision rather than a legal one.
The controversy echoes similar legal clashes in Europe, where courts have blocked government attempts to tighten immigration laws. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration is facing pushback from the judiciary over efforts to deport migrants to Albania. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has accused judges of undermining the democratic process, branding them “far-left” activists in robes.
As the debate rages, the Dutch government may now have to reassess its approach to handling convicted terrorists who hold dual citizenship.
