France begins deportation procedures for Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath on grounds of threatening public order

Legal sources announced that French authorities have officially begun legal procedures aimed at deporting Palestinian political activist Ramy Shaath from its territory. This move came after the Nanterre department classified Shaath as a 'serious threat to public order,' which paves the way for ending his residency in the country that hosted him years ago following his release from Egyptian prisons.

Lawyer Damia Tahraoui reported that the local administration informed the defense team of its intention to proceed with the deportation case, with a hearing scheduled before a specialized committee on May 21st. Despite this date being set, the lawyer warned that laws allow authorities to issue and execute a deportation order suddenly at any time they deem appropriate.

France's security perspective in this decision is based on an assessment that criticizes Shaath's intensive political activity since the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023. Authorities accuse the Palestinian activist of strengthening his ties with entities described as extremist, including the 'Urgence Palestine' organization, which he helped found and which is active in organizing protest events against Israeli practices.

The list of accusations against Shaath included adopting political positions described as 'radical,' particularly regarding his opposition to ceasefire plans and his expression of hopes for a regional expansion of the conflict. Security reports also monitored his statements in Paris demonstrations, where he described the Israeli occupation as 'criminal' and accused Tel Aviv of committing grave violations against Palestinian civilians.

For his part, Ramy Shaath, son of former Palestinian minister and negotiator Nabil Shaath, responded to these measures by saying they are a clear attempt to silence his political voice. He affirmed in press statements that he only participated in peaceful events calling for an end to the genocide, imposing international sanctions, and banning arms exports to Israel, positions he sees as consistent with his principles.

Shaath is known for his prominent role as one of the faces of the January Revolution in Egypt, in addition to being a coordinator for the international Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for divesting from Israel. He previously spent about 900 days in detention in Egyptian prisons on charges related to incitement, before the French presidency intervened to secure his release and transfer to Paris in 2022.

This French move raises widespread questions about the limits of freedom of expression and political activity for Palestinian rights defenders in Europe. Observers are awaiting the outcome of the upcoming hearing, amid human rights pressures demanding a halt to deportation procedures and ensuring the protection of the activist who sought political safety in France.

My positions have not changed since France worked to get me out of Egyptian prisons... but today it seems they want to silence me.