Nov 15, 2018 – 20:25
Ramadan told the judges that he would stay in France to defend his honour and innocence.
(Keystone)
The Swiss Islamic scholar charged with raping two women has succeeded in obtaining a release from French police custody under certain conditions.
At a hearing on Thursday before the Paris Court of Appeal, Ramadan claimed his innocence. It was his first public appearance since his incarceration ten months ago.
“Where will I flee to? Everything points towards my innocence (…) I will remain in France and defend my honour and innocence,” he said while trying to convince the investigating chamber to grant his fourth request for release.
The exact date of release is not yet known. The 56-year-old will have to provide a bond of €300,000, said his lawyer Emmanuel Marsigny. Ramadan, will also have to surrender his Swiss passport and will be prohibited from leaving the country and from contacting the accusers and certain witnesses. He’ll have to report to the police station once a week.
His previous request for liberty was rejected last week by the judges, who feared, among other things, “risks of pressure” on the two women whose complaints launched the case in the autumn of 2017 and led to the double charges against him on February 2.
Swiss case
In addition to the cases in France, Ramadan is accused of having had inappropriate relations with several students whilst teaching at a Geneva-area school. The canton has called in two experts to conduct an external investigation into the allegations. The Geneva Attorney General’s Office has also opened a criminal investigation into the affair. Ramadan denies all allegations against him.
Married with four children, he is a grandson of Hasan al-Banna, an Islamist thinker and activist who founded the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. He enjoys a substantial following among young Muslims and has challenged French restrictions on wearing veils.
Ramadan took a leave of absence from his professorship at Britain’s Oxford University last November after the first two women filed complaints against him in France alleging rape.
Keystone-SDA
Categories: Europe, Europe and Australia, European Union, France, Switzerland
Comments on this matter: (some one attacking my views).
There are 8 comments on this article.
“Wanderer commented on the content at November 16, 2018 4:40 AM”.
Wanderer Nov 16, 2018 4:40 AM
The double standards of the Swiss. Funny how a Swiss citizen who shoplifts because he/she is hungry and homeless finds themselves fighting deportation. However, when it is a brain, the Swiss are too cowardly to revoke the citizenship of an Islamic and deport him to the land of his father. Something Britain just did sending a criminal back to Ghana who committed £1billion fraud as a UBS employee . Hopefully, Britain’s Home Secretary, Javed does not allow him to return.
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“max replied to the comment of Wanderer at November 16, 2018 4:11 PM.”
max Nov 16, 2018 4:11 PM
Unfortunately, it is not so easy to get rid of an undesirable Swiss passport holder. Remember the two Islamic terrorist fighters that Switzerland may have to take back because no one else wants them. Why not lock them up in a tower and throw away the keys?
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“BOB replied to the comment of Wanderer at November 17, 2018 1:40 AM.”
BOB Nov 17, 2018 1:40 AM
Deport someone based on allegations without judicial sentence!, and revoke citizenship because of his religion/ beliefs, and country of origin!
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“Rafiq Tschannen commented on the content at November 17, 2018 11:53 AM”.
Rafiq Tschannen Nov 17, 2018 11:53 AM
ok, you will probably call me a male chauvinist; but: ‘rape in the hotel room of the accused’. What did the ladies go to the hotel room for? – but anyway: Islamic tradition teaches that a man and a women (who are not closely related) should not be alone together anywhere ‘because the third will be the devil’. Well, this Islamic scholar seems to have overlooked this tradition. – Revoke citizenship? this guy was born in Geneva !
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“Tru replied to the comment of Rafiq Tschannen at November 17, 2018 5:02 PM.”
Tru Nov 17, 2018 5:02 PM
Being born in Switzerland does not equal you becoming Swiss. He is a naturalised Swiss,…..a “papier” Schweizer to be exact.
Please learn again about Swiss citizenship, Rafiq, before giving comment like that.
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“Tom replied to the comment of Rafiq Tschannen at November 19, 2018 4:53 PM.”
Tom Nov 19, 2018 4:53 PM
“What did the ladies go to the hotel room for”?
Are you serious? I’m sure they didn’t go there to get raped.
Islamic tradition or not. Raping and abusing women is abhorrent. If you need religion to stop you doing that then you lack empathy.
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“CW replied to the comment of Tom at November 20, 2018 1:04 PM.”
CW Nov 20, 2018 1:04 PM
He was the poster boy of the Radio and TV of Swiss Romande (kind of Swiss CNN characterized by unethical and biased reporting against any Swiss that confronted socially and politically that rubbish being called “scholar”? But only until he admitted that physical punishment of women is OK. For me, he belongs to a cage as many other jihadis. And if he ever wants to return to his native slum, he should setup a “go fund me” account for a one-way ticket to Cairo. I’ll give him some cash
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“Rafiq Tschannen replied to the comment of Tom at November 21, 2018 11:57 AM.”
Rafiq Tschannen Nov 21, 2018 11:57 AM
Empathy or not. High School Teachers now-a-days avoid being alone with a student in a room for fear of (right or wrong) accusations of wrong-doing. You cannot deny this wisdom.
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“MAGA replied to the comment of Rafiq Tschannen at November 21, 2018 1:01 PM.”
MAGA Nov 21, 2018 1:01 PM
Rafiq you NOT sharing wisdom. You are confirming that people of your faith/upbringing are not compatible in a civilized/western society. Thank you for making this clear for all to see. Totally disgusting point of view you have. Women should NEVER fear that a man will rape her simply because they are alone together!!!
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“Rafiq Tschannen replied to the comment of MAGA at November 21, 2018 3:14 PM.”
Rafiq Tschannen Nov 21, 2018 3:14 PM
Well, you may sound all ‘modern’ and ‘civilized’ and all that. But reflect for a moment: Where would all the @metoo stuff be, if the couples would have followed our advice?
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