Dutch Court Confirms Revocation of Citizenship for Terrorism Conviction

In a significant legal ruling, a Dutch court has upheld the decision to revoke the citizenship of a Moroccan-Dutch individual who was convicted of engaging in terrorist activities in Syria. This verdict, handed down by the Council of State on September 30, 2026, clarifies the implications of citizenship revocation in cases involving dual nationality. The court affirmed that the individual retains his Moroccan nationality, ensuring that he will not be rendered stateless following the revocation of his Dutch citizenship.

Born in the Netherlands, the man acquired Dutch citizenship alongside his parents in 1996 while also holding Moroccan nationality. His involvement in terrorist activities spanned from 2013 to late 2015, during which he fought with jihadist groups such as Ahrar al-Sham and later Jund al-Aqsa. His actions led to a conviction in the Netherlands, resulting in a prison sentence exceeding five years for his role in terrorism.

In March 2025, the Amsterdam District Court ruled that the revocation of his citizenship constituted unlawful discrimination based on the individual’s origins or descent. However, the Council of State later overturned this ruling, emphasizing that the law does not inherently discriminate against individuals based on their national origins. The court recognized that the measure could disproportionately affect dual nationals, as citizenship cannot be revoked in scenarios that would leave an individual stateless. Nevertheless, they deemed the differential treatment justified in this specific case, asserting that the revocation was appropriate, necessary, and proportionate to a legitimate governmental aim.

The court articulated that the man’s actions directly contravened Dutch interests to such a degree that the fundamental bond with the Netherlands was irreparably damaged. As a result, the loss of his Dutch citizenship is now irrevocable, alongside a separate ruling mandating his expulsion from the Netherlands and barring his re-entry.

As reported by en.yabiladi.com.