Tariq Ramadan, the Swiss Islamist scholar, faces new legal challenges as the Paris Court of Appeal has decided to refer him to a French criminal court on charges of raping three women. This decision comes despite the Assistant Public Prosecutor's recommendation to dismiss all four cases against him.
The Investigative Chamber of the Court of Appeal reviewed the appeal filed by Ramadan's defense team against his referral to the Criminal Court. The appeal, which was based on a decision made in July 2023 by investigating judges at the Paris Court, was partially upheld. The court decided to maintain one rape charge against Ramadan, specifically the case involving 'Christelle' in Lyon in October 2009, under aggravating circumstances.
However, the court ruled out the case of Mounia Rabouj, who had accused Ramadan of raping her multiple times between 2013 and 2014. This decision was met with criticism from the lawyers representing Christelle and Rabouj, who found the exclusion 'incomprehensible'.
Ramadan's legal troubles are not confined to France. In Switzerland, he was acquitted in May 2023 in a separate case of rape and sexual coercion dating back to 2008. The prosecutor in that case had requested a three-year prison sentence, citing the 'control' Ramadan allegedly exercised over the complainant, likened to 'Stockholm syndrome'.
The decision of the Paris Court of Appeal has sparked mixed reactions. While some see it as a victory for the judiciary, allowing the accusers their day in court, Ramadan's defense team continues to fight for his innocence, arguing that there is no substantial evidence against him. The case will now proceed to trial, where a final verdict will be awaited.
- The Paris Court of Appeal's decision diverges from the stance of the Public Prosecution, which had advocated for the dismissal of all charges. This has led to a complex legal scenario where only some accusations are being pursued.
- Henda Ayari, one of the accusers and a former Salafist turned secular activist, filed her complaint in October 2017, alleging a rape that occurred in 2012 in Paris. Her lawyer has expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating it allows for a proper judicial process to determine Ramadan's guilt or innocence.
- Ramadan's legal team remains adamant about his innocence. One of his lawyers, Pascal Garbarini, emphasized that the fight for Ramadan's innocence is ongoing. Another lawyer, Wadih Al-Hamamouchi, expressed surprise at the court's decision but indicated plans to appeal.
- The legal proceedings in France and Switzerland highlight the international dimension of the accusations against Ramadan. His acquittal in Switzerland contrasts with the ongoing legal battles in France, underscoring the complexities involved in cross-border legal cases.
