Justice officials and lawyers of the parties confirmed that the 60-year old will be tried following four years of investigations.
The complainant, known as “Brigitte” by the media, accuses the scholar of having dragged her into a hotel room on the evening of October 28, 2008.
Converted to Islam, she had met Ramadan a few months earlier during a book signing, then during a conference.
In 2018, the Geneva prosecutor’s office opened an investigation following a complaint from a woman who accused Ramadan of abusing her in 2008 in a hotel in Geneva and of having confined her.
The woman claims that the scholar subjected her to brutal sexual acts, accompanied by blows and insults.
Innocence and relief
However, Ramadan’s lawyers argue that the public prosecutor’s office merely copied the complaint without integrating what disqualifies it. They said they are confident for their client and that the judges will restore his innocence.
For their part, the legal representatives for the plaintiff said their client is relieved by this indictment, which confirms her status as a victim and describes “the night of horror” she experienced.
Ramadan, a Swiss citizen, could also appear in court in neighbouring France. Last summer, the Paris prosecutor’s office requested a trial for suspected rapes committed between 2009 and 2016 on four women.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
This content was published on
In many cases, China's use of AI undermines the national security of the US and its allies, according to a US government representative.
Swiss Hells Angels trial alleges rape and money laundering
This content was published on
An allegedly high-ranking member of the Hells Angels is accused of money laundering totalling millions and rape, among other serious crimes.
SWISS is airline ‘group flagship’ says Lufthansa boss
This content was published on
Despite challenges, Lufthansa and its most important subsidiary, Swiss International Airlines, promise increased satisfaction and continued growth.
Swiss rediscover communist zeal after 84-year hiatus
This content was published on
Over 300 participants founded the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP) at its congress in Burgdorf in canton Bern at the weekend.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Geneva investigation opens after Tariq Ramadan accused of rape
This content was published on
The Geneva Attorney General’s Office has opened a criminal investigation into Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan, according to media reports.
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.