Escalation in number of bans for sentenced individuals

Escalation in number of bans for sentenced individuals
Theo Francken stressed that this year already more than 40 ‘serious criminals’, amongst others Syrian fighters born in Belgium, have been sent back to their country of birth upon release from prison.

The number of foreign prisoners, who are subject to a long-term ban upon entering Belgium after serving their sentences, has seen a significant increase. This is reported on Monday in Het Laatste Nieuws, citing the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Theo Francken.

Since May 1st of this year, 1,380 prisoners have received, upon leaving prison, a ban upon their entering to Belgium. In 293 cases, or three times more than last year, the prohibition applied for ten years or more. This increase is a consequence of stricter measures, enabling removal of foreign nationals from Belgium. It applies even if they were born in Belgium or arrived there as children.

Theo Francken welcomes this saying, “We have thus, this year, already sent back more than 40 ‘serious criminals’, amongst others Syrian fighters born in Belgium.” As alluded to above, the new law also enables the imposition of territorial bans for periods of greater than ten years.


The Brussels Times


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