The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Tariq Ramadan ordered to face trial for rape in France

Tariq Ramadan arriving at court in Geneva in May 2023
The decision to move to trial in Paris was denounced by Ramadan's team of lawyers. © Keystone / Martial Trezzini

The Swiss scholar Tariq Ramadan will stand trial at a Paris criminal court for rapes alleged to have taken place between 2009 and 2016, two judges decided on Friday.

The judges, however, partially dismissed allegations made by two of the four women who had made the accusations.

Laure Heinich, who is defending three of these women, said her clients were delighted with the judges’ decision and “the obviously meticulous work” done by the magistrates. Another lawyer for the women, Laura Ben Kemoun, added that the plaintiffs were “relieved and ready for what lies ahead”.

+ Ramadan cleared of rape charges in Geneva

Ramadan’s lawyers condemned the decision to move to trial while an appeal was pending at the French Supreme Court. Ramadan’s defence team has appealed the validation by the court of appeal in May of crucial reports by a psychiatric expert.

Ramadan spent nine months in pre-trial detention in 2018 while investigations into the allegations in France took place. The same year, a woman in Geneva known in the Swiss press as “Brigitte” brought rape accusations against Ramadan. The trial for the Geneva case took place this spring. Ramadan was acquitted, a judgement that the Office of the Attorney-General of Geneva has appealed.

More


Popular Stories

News

Swiss grenadier recruits take part in an urban warfare exercise in Isone, canton Ticino, in 2013.

More

Swiss Politics

Swiss army recruits remain in hospital after gruelling test exercise

This content was published on Four potential recruits for the elite Swiss grenadier unit were hospitalised last week after taking part in a gruelling exercise in hot weather. Three remain in hospital with one placed temporarily in an artificial coma.

Read more: Swiss army recruits remain in hospital after gruelling test exercise
Swiss brands seek a response to customs duties

More

Workplace

Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff

This content was published on Swiss brands like Victorinox, the manufacturer of the iconic pocket knife, are struggling to adapt to the 39% tariff imposed by the United States on imports of Swiss goods.

Read more: Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff
Swatch withdraws "gook" advert after outrage in China

More

Workplace

Swatch withdraws ‘slanted eyes’ ad after China uproar

This content was published on The Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch has apologised and withdrawn an advertising campaign worldwide following accusations of racism in China. The ad features a model pulling the corners of his eyes.

Read more: Swatch withdraws ‘slanted eyes’ ad after China uproar
Bern exhibition reunites pair of Kirchner paintings after 92 years

More

Culture

Bern exhibition reunites Kirchner paintings after 92 years

This content was published on The painting Sonntag der Bergbauern (Alpsonntag) [Sunday of the Mountain Farmers (Alp Sunday) by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) is being transferred from Berlin to Bern to feature in an upcoming exhibition at Kunstmuseum Bern.

Read more: Bern exhibition reunites Kirchner paintings after 92 years
The population of the Upper Engadine approves the extension of its airport

More

Voters approve extension of Engadine Airport in Switzerland

This content was published on Residents in the Upper Engadine region gave the greenlight on Sunday to the expansion of the regional airport at Samedan, one of Europe’s highest airports (1,707 metres) that serves the nearby resorts of St Moritz and Davos.

Read more: Voters approve extension of Engadine Airport in Switzerland

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR