UNKNOWN

  • Full name: Moustafa Lounani
  • Pseudonym: N/a
  • Alternatives: N/a
  • Location: Belgium
  • Affiliation: fmr Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group [GICM]

Mostafa Lounani (°1963) is a Moroccan-born jihadi who illegally migrated to Belgium in 1997.1 He became associated with the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group [GICM; Groupe Islamique Combattant Marocain] shortly afterwards. Lounani played a key role in the group’s Maaseik-based support network.2 He was also involved in providing logistical assistance to Belgian jihadis traveling to Iraq.3

Belgian security forces apprehended Lounani in 2004. At the time of his arrest, he was appeared to have been preparing to travel to Iraq himself.4 In February 2006, a court sentenced him to prison for six years.5

Lounani was freed from prison in March 2010.6 Although he was scheduled to be deported to Morocco following his release, Lounani was eventually granted asylum by the Belgian authorities in March 2013 after a court annulled the repatriation order over concerns of possible mistreatment in Morocco.7 Lounani has since kept a low profile.

References[+]