Tariq Ramadan Faces New Appeal Trial in Geneva
Swiss Islamic thinker Tariq Ramadan appeared today, Monday, before the Criminal Appeals Chamber in Geneva, for a new appeal trial. This comes a year after he was acquitted of charges of rape and sexual coercion dating back to 2008. The trial is expected to last three days, but a ruling is not anticipated immediately.
The plaintiff's lawyers, Robert Assael and Veronique Fontana, stated, 'Our client is confident and determined, although every session represents an ordeal because she is reminded of the night of terror she lived on October 28, 2008.' They added that she awaits recognition as a victim and for Ramadan to be convicted of rape.
The plaintiff says she was approximately forty years old when the supposed incidents occurred about 16 years ago. She also claims to live under threat and has used the pseudonym 'Brigitte' for protection. Ramadan, 61, acknowledges being in a hotel room with the plaintiff but denies any sexual act, stating he only kissed her briefly.
On May 24, 2023, a Geneva court acquitted Ramadan of rape and sexual coercion due to a lack of material evidence. The court concluded that although the complainant’s account was 'generally consistent and detailed,' it was not supported by any material evidence. The court decided to compensate Ramadan for his legal fees but rejected his request for compensation for moral damage.
The new trial in Geneva is highly anticipated, occurring just one month before another French appellate decision regarding Ramadan. The Paris Court of Appeals is scheduled to rule on June 27 regarding his appeal against his referral to the Criminal Court on charges related to raping four women between 2009 and 2016. The prosecutor requested dropping charges against three of these women.
Doctor from the University of Geneva, where he wrote a thesis on his grandfather, the founder of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, Ramadan has held multiple academic positions, including at the University of Oxford. He has been a controversial figure, especially among advocates of secularism who see him as a supporter of political Islam.
- The plaintiff filed a complaint ten years after the alleged incident, which the court noted as a significant delay that complicated gathering evidence. Both the prosecution and the defense acknowledge that Ramadan and the plaintiff spent the night together in a Geneva hotel room, but they dispute what transpired.
- Ramadan's defense argues that the doubt should benefit the accused, citing the lack of evidence, contradictory testimonies from psychiatrists, and 'messages of love' sent by the complainant after the alleged events. His Swiss lawyer, Yaël Hayat, described the prior verdict as 'inspired by reason.'
- Despite the acquittal, the case has had a lasting impact on Ramadan's career and personal life, especially with similar allegations awaiting judgment in France. The Geneva prosecutor's office and the plaintiff appealed the acquittal, leading to the current trial, which has again captured widespread media attention.
