Muslim Polygamist May Lose French Citizenship

French officials are considering yanking the citizenship of a Muslim polygamist, even though he now claims his wives are merely mistresses, which is something he believes is a cornerstone of French culture. Problems for Algerian-born butcher Lies Hebbadj began last week when police ticketed a wife for wearing a full face veil while driving a car. Officials discovered records indicating that Hebbadj has 4 wives and 12 children, reports France 24.

But he's claiming at least 3 of the women are merely lovers, though they appear to be collecting spousal social welfare benefits under his name. "As far as I know, it is not forbidden to have mistresses in France, nor is it forbidden under Islam," said Hebbadj, who lives in Nantes. "If you lose your French nationality for having mistresses, then a lot of French men would have been stripped of their citizenship." (More Lies Hebbadj stories.)