An Australian Islamic preacher who had planned to give a speech in Utrecht this weekend has been banned from the Netherlands, a spokesman for justice minister Dilan Yesilgöz has confirmed. 

Mohamed Hoblos had been invited to speak at an event at the Jaarbeurs by local foundation Dawah Groep as part of a European speaking tour. However, in a video on the group’s Facebook page, Hoblos said that he had been banned from entering the country.

Hoblos is included in a Schengen zone register in which member states share information on wanted people and extremists, the spokesman told broadcaster NOS.

“That is why that person will have been denied entry,” the spokesman said.  “Freedom of speech is a great good but there is no place for people to expound extremist views in the Netherlands.”

Utrecht mayor Sharon Dijksma said earlier that she was opposed to Hoblos’ visit after the Telegraaf reported on his radical ideas. MPs had also called for a ban. 

Hoblos was earlier scheduled to speak in Berlin, Hamburg and Oslo, but has also been banned from Germany, the paper said. Originally from Lebanon, as an Australian national, he does not need a visa to visit the Netherlands. 

The Netherlands has banned some 25 extremist preachers from the Netherlands since 2015, the paper said, quoting justice ministry figures.