Moroccan Islamist accused of exploiting workers in Spain

Spanish police have launched an investigation into Mounir Benjelloun Al-Andaloussi, one of the leading figures of the Moroccan Islamist group of Justice and Charity, for inciting illegal immigration, violation of Spanish labour law and failure to declare workers to social security.

LONDON - Spanish police have launched an investigation into Mounir Benjelloun Al-Andaloussi, President of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities and one of the leading figures of the Moroccan Islamist group of Justice and Charity, which is outlawed in the North African kingdom.

The police accused Andaloussi of inciting illegal immigration, violation of Spanish labour law and failure to declare workers to social security, offences and crimes punishable under Spanish law, according to news website Din Presse.

The same source reported that the Municipal Police of Aguilas in the Murcia region of southeastern Spain opened a judicial investigation into Andaloussi after conducting a surprise search of a company owned by him and that was building a mosque in the region, leading local authorities to uncover a series of legal violations.

Andaloussi is accused of employing clandetine Moroccan immigrants, without employment contracts, in addition to the deprivation of legal rights, refraining from declaring them to social security.

He was released on bail of around 20,000 euros, but has to respond legally to the charges brought against him by the competent court, charges that may be subject to freedom-depriving penalties, with the possibility of also ruling the suspect with financial fines.

Andaloussi owns, along with four of his partners, a construction company named "Mosa Construcciones Obras Y Reformas".

The judicial investigations concluded that this company was not authorized by the Chamber of Commerce in the region. It is also not registered with the insurance institutions, and it does not make the legal statements for the workers working for it, reported Din Presse.

Andaloussi’s case is an example of Islamists’ greed in foreign countries at the expense of illegal workers. It is also tarnishing the Moroccan diaspora’s reputation in Spain.