The government of Denmark has issued two-year entry ban on two African religious preachers, Ismail Menk, 31, and Hussein Abdelrazek Soliman Ahmed, 46, and 15 others.

It noted that the preachers undermined the state’s laws and values.

The national sanction list published by the Danish immigration authority listed the names, photo ,nationalities, and other information about the religious preachers.

Though the Danish immigration authority didn’t state reason for the sanction on each of the religious preachers, it noted that the sanction was to maintain public order.

The Danish government stated that it could sanction any individual or religious preacher if their past behaviour threatens the public order in the country.

It said that “Sanction can be imposed if the foreign national, in his/her capacity as a religious preacher, has displayed behaviour that gives reason to believe that the foreign national could pose a threat to the public order in Denmark if he/she was permitted to enter, and reside in the country, and there is a reasonable likelihood that the individual will enter Denmark.”

It however said that foreign nationals with a valid Danish residence permit cannot be placed on the national sanction list, due to the EU’s free movement. 

The government said that individuals on the list are barred from entering the country and other Schengen countries for two years, adding that individuals who violated the ban could face three years’ imprisonment or a fine.

Individuals who help or facilitate the illegal entry into the state could also face a fine or up to three years in prison.

The Danish government said foreign nationals on the sanction list could request a review of their cases by the Danish immigration authority, which decides if they should remain on the list and has the right to appeal the decision within eight weeks.