ADVERTISEMENT

Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan wins bail in France rape case

Swiss Islamologist Tariq Ramadan wins bail while French authorities investigate allegations from two women that he raped them in 2009 and 2012

A Paris appeals court ruled in favour of Ramadan after the 56-year-old Swiss academic made an impassioned argument for release. His bail was set at 300,000 euros ($340,000) and requires him to hand over his passport and report to police once a week.

"Where would I flee to?" he asked in his hearing, his first public appearance since his incarceration.

Ramadan denies charges he raped the women in 2009 and 2012. One accuser is a disabled woman identified in media reports as "Christelle" and the other is a feminist activist, Henda Ayari.

But last month Ramadan was forced to drop assertions he had no sexual contact at all with the women after an expert recovered 399 text messages between him and "Christelle", some of which detailed violent sexual fantasies. Ramadan subsequently said the sexual contact was "consensual".

ADVERTISEMENT

In court, Ramadan said he had no intention of becoming a fugitive from justice, and said his multiple sclerosis meant he had difficulty walking after 10 months locked up.

"I will remain in France and defend my honour and my innocence," the well-known TV commentator told the judges in what was his fourth bid to secure his freedom.

"I would like you to make your decision from your conscience, not because my name is Tariq Ramadan and I'm demonised in this country," he said.

He portrayed his accusers as liers bending media attention in the case to their benefit, asking: "Who has instrumentalised the 'Me Too' movement?"

Ramadan, a married father of four whose grandfather founded Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, was a professor at Oxford University until he was forced to take leave when the rape allegations surfaced at the height of the "Me Too" movement late last year.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

FG seeks partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to reduce cost of drugs

FG seeks partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to reduce cost of drugs

Canadian mayor praises Lagos under Tinubu at event honouring Peter Obi

Canadian mayor praises Lagos under Tinubu at event honouring Peter Obi

Nigeria, UK’s trade relations currently worth £7bn – Envoy

Nigeria, UK’s trade relations currently worth £7bn – Envoy

Kogi residents score Gov Ododo high after 100 days in office

Kogi residents score Gov Ododo high after 100 days in office

Shettima departs for 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas

Shettima departs for 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas

Austria introduces DNA tests on relatives to curb family migration

Austria introduces DNA tests on relatives to curb family migration

FG building Lagos-Calabar road because of Tinubu, Chagoury business ties – Atiku

FG building Lagos-Calabar road because of Tinubu, Chagoury business ties – Atiku

Russia sends new military equipment to Niger as relationship waxes strong

Russia sends new military equipment to Niger as relationship waxes strong

Parents, lecturers disagree over 18 years university admission age

Parents, lecturers disagree over 18 years university admission age

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT