Ramadan faces several allegations of serious sexual assault
Keystone
Canton Geneva authorities have called in two experts to conduct an external investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct alleged to have been perpetrated by Swiss academic Tariq Ramadan against pupils he taught in local schools.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
The role of the canton’s education department in the affair will also be probed following allegations that some students had raised the alarm between 1984 and 2004 when the Islamic scholar taught in the area.
Ramadan is currently in prison in Paris facing three accusations of rape. In November a Swiss newspaper reported allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct by four unnamed Swiss women. He denies the allegations and is currently on leave of absence from Oxford University.
The Geneva investigation has been launched in the wake of mounting public pressure for answers. Earlier this month, a letter signed by some well-known figures in the French-speaking part of Switzerland was sent to the cantonal authorities demanding that action be taken.
The education department said it could not launch an internal inquiry as Ramadan no longer held a post in Geneva. A preliminary report from the newly formed external inquiry is expected towards the end of this year.
The two investigators are being granted access to all relevant documents relating to the case, while current and former education department employees would be released from confidentiality obligations, the authorities said.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
This content was published on
There is "no Europe à la carte", declared the deputy prime minister of Luxembourg, where the European Commission is briefing member states on the state of negotiations with Switzerland.
Almost 200 people die a year in Switzerland doing sport
This content was published on
Every year, an average of 185 people die while playing sport in Switzerland. Most of the fatal sports accidents occur in mountain sports.
Swiss regulator tells UBS to strengthen its crisis plans
This content was published on
UBS must improve its emergency plans following its takeover of Credit Suisse to ensure the bank can be wound down or sold without risking financial stability and taxpayer cash, Swiss regulator FINMA said on Tuesday.
New minimum sentences for first-time speeders in Switzerland
This content was published on
A driver caught speeding in Ticino has received a conditional fine instead of the conditional prison sentence imposed at first instance.
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.
Read more
More
Call for inquiry into Tariq Ramadan’s actions at Swiss school
This content was published on
A letter sent to the local educational authorities on Sunday has called for an administrative inquiry into Tariq Ramadan’s behaviour.
Tariq Ramadan to remain in jail after medical appeal fails
This content was published on
Ramadan will remain in prison following the decision by the Paris Court of Appeal on Thursday, according to the press agency AFP. The investigating chamber had appointed a medical expert, who found Ramadan’s state of health compatible with his detention. The 55-year-old Swiss theologian, who was arrested on February 2, claims he suffers from multiple…
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.