An appeals court in Turin ordered the release of Egyptian imam Mohamed Shaheen, freezing deportation proceedings launched over statements he made at a pro-Palestinian protest.

An Italian appeals court in Turin ordered the release of Egyptian imam Mohamed Shaheen, halting deportation proceedings initiated after authorities claimed he posed a threat to public order.

The court accepted appeals filed by Shaheen’s lawyers after Italy’s Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, opened deportation proceedings following statements Shaheen made during a pro-Palestinian demonstration last October.