ABSTRACT
The applicant, a Moroccan citizen born in 1955, came to live in Belgium in 1966 with his parents and siblings. He lived in Brussels with his family in a house which they owned. After leaving school he trained as a mechanic. From 1984 onwards he worked for the family business as a taxi driver. On 17 October 1985, in Morocco, he married a Moroccan woman who came to live with him in Belgium. She gave birth to a son on 10 August 1986. He later divorced his wife in Morocco. On 6 April 1988 the Brussels Criminal Court convicted him of criminal damage, unlawful possession of drugs and conspiracy. Sentence was reduced on appeal to five years’ imprisonment. He was released on parole on 23 May 1991. A royal order of 25 February 1991, which was served in March 1991, required the applicant to leave Belgium. The applicant complained of an infringement of his right to respect for his private and family life. Comm found by majority (19-3) NV 8, (21-1) NV 8+14.
