Swiss Court Convicts Islamic Scholar Tariq Ramadan of Rape After Initial Acquittal
A Swiss appeal court has found esteemed Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan guilty of raping a woman in a Geneva hotel 15 years ago, overturning a prior acquittal issued by a lower court. The ruling, dated August 28, was made public only after a report by broadcaster RTS brought it to light on Tuesday. The 62-year-old former professor at Oxford University has been sentenced to three years in prison, two of which are suspended. This sentence is slightly more lenient than the three years requested by the prosecutor during the appeals case in May.
The case began when Ramadan's accuser, who has been identified only as Brigitte, a Muslim convert, testified that he raped her and subjected her to violent sexual acts during the night of October 28, 2008. According to Brigitte's lawyer, she was repeatedly raped and endured extreme psychological and physical torture. However, Ramadan has continuously professed his innocence, claiming that the encounter was consensual and asserting that Brigitte had essentially invited herself to his room. He described himself as a victim of a set-up.
Brigitte, who was in her 40s at the time of the alleged incident, waited 10 years to file a complaint, claiming she felt encouraged to come forward after similar allegations against Ramadan emerged in France. These allegations have led to significant media scrutiny and public interest, particularly amidst the global spotlight on sexual misconduct brought by the Me Too movement.
The Swiss appeals court nullified the earlier acquittal, which had been based on a lack of evidence, contradictory testimonies, and love messages sent by Brigitte after the alleged assault. However, during the appeals process, Brigitte's legal team argued that Ramadan had maintained a troubling level of control over her, comparing her experience to Stockholm syndrome, a condition where hostages develop feelings for their captors.
In its statement, the appeals court referenced witness testimonies, medical certificates, and independent expert opinions that supported the plaintiff's claims. These elements collectively convinced the court of Ramadan's guilt.
Prior to these charges, Ramadan had a notable academic career, serving as a professor of contemporary Islamic studies at Oxford and holding visiting positions at universities in Qatar and Morocco. He took a leave of absence in 2017 when similar allegations emerged in France striking at the core of the Me Too movement, where he is suspected of raping three women between 2009 and 2016.
Ramadan's extensive legal team is currently challenging a Paris appeals court ruling from June that allows the French cases to proceed to trial. The case has not only brought Ramadan under intense scrutiny but also raised important discussions about the treatment of sexual assault victims and the complexities surrounding consent and power dynamics in sexual relationships.
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