Protests left after the expulsion of an undocumented Algerian Roubaix

Several leading leftists strongly criticized Monday the expulsion of an undocumented Algerian Roubaix, in the North, to Algeria, denouncing a "relentless" of the services of the State. Aged 45, living in Roubaix since 2012 where he worked as a volunteer gardener at the parish of the district of Epeule, Mohammed Lakel was expelled Monday, said the northern prefecture to AFP.

A local figure of Roubaix

A local figure in Roubaix, a volunteer with Secours Populaire and a member of the Committee of undocumented migrants in the North, he was placed on August 6 at the Lesquin detention center (CRA), near Lille. According to the prefecture, after the rejection of his asylum application in 2013 and 2014, he was the subject of three obligations to leave the French territory (OQTF) in 2015, 2017 and February 2019, the latter "confirmed on the merits by the Administrative Court of Lille ".

"Shameful expulsion" for Adrien Quatennens

This is a "shameful expulsion", denounced on Twitter the LFI deputy North Adrien Quatennens. "I am indignant (...) The government posts beautiful speeches on the human rights but practices a policy contrary to our values", also reacted on the social network Karima Delli, MEP EELV, originating from Roubaix, affirming that it came this Monday to visit him with a "promise of employment".

URGENT: The shameful expulsion of Mohammed Lakel to Algiers is under way. According to your possibilities, join the rallies at Lesquin and Orly airports. pic.twitter.com/V4qoA46VVC

I am indignant. #MohammedLakel has just been evicted, so I had to visit him this morning with a promise of employment! Mohammed has his life here in France. The government has good speeches about human rights, but practices a policy that is contrary to our values.

"But this promise of employment is precisely what was missing from his file at the Codrese (departmental commission for re-examination of situations of foreigners), which was to meet in September!", Criticized Julien, a member of its support committee.

"Can we hope the public authorities what the motto of the Republic calls Fraternity," also tweeted on Thursday the head of PS senators Patrick Kanner, former chairman of the northern general council, while Eric Bocquet, communist senator of the North , said the next day having written to the prefect for a "request for regularization", after visiting him at the CRA, the same day that the national secretary of the Greens David Cormand who has pointed "a relentless desire to uproot this man". Last week, the mayor of Lille Martine Aubry had intervened with the prefect to ask for a solution to be found, told AFP the town hall.

A rally on Monday night in Lille city center

Some 200 people gathered Monday night in the city center of Lille to protest against this expulsion. "Freedom for Mohammed Lakel", "Stop the arrests and expulsions", "Control, lock up, repress, expel is shame for humanity", could read on signs. "We are all here to support Mohammed, a man who has been involved in French associations since 2012, who has behaved like a very good French citizen and who is now dismissed as an example," he said. Pierre, 18 years old.