Samidoun is  a controversial organization close to Palestinian Islamist groups that was banned in Germany after celebrating the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.

Mohammed Khatib is “known as an extremist hate preacher,” says Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration.

Belgium’s government has asked to revoke the refugee status of Mohammed Khatib, the coordinator in Europe for Samidoun, a controversial organization close to Palestinian Islamist groups that was banned in Germany after celebrating the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.

Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, announced that she had asked the immigration services to withdraw the refugee status of Khatib, who she said was “known as an extremist hate preacher”.

“The asylum procedure is intended for people fleeing war or unjust persecution. There is no place for people who represent a danger to society”, she said.

“Even if someone has already been recognized as a refugee if that person turns out to be an extremist, recognition can be withdrawn.”

She explained that the request was based on “information provided by the security services”, without giving any further details.

Last month, members of the parliament in Netherlands criticized their government for not preventing Khatib from attending a rally in the country.