PARIS — A Paris court has sentenced Swiss Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan to 18 years in prison for the rape of three women, marking the latest development in a high-profile case that has unfolded over several years. The verdict, delivered Wednesday evening, comes as the #MeToo movement continues to bring scrutiny to allegations of sexual misconduct against prominent figures.
Ramadan, 63, was found guilty of rape in connection with incidents that occurred between 2009 and 2016 in Lyon and Paris, according to reports. Despite consistently denying the accusations, he later acknowledged contact with the women involved.
The former Oxford University professor did not appear at the trial, with his lawyers citing a “flare-up” of multiple sclerosis requiring hospitalization in Geneva, Switzerland. Though, a court-ordered medical assessment determined his condition was sufficient for him to attend, DW reported.
Judge Corinne Goetzmann announced the sentence in absentia and issued an arrest warrant for Ramadan. However, his imprisonment remains uncertain, as Switzerland does not extradite its citizens to other countries, Newscord.org detailed. The court too prohibited Ramadan from entering French territory after completing his sentence.
This conviction follows a separate ruling in 2024, where Ramadan was found guilty of rape and sexual assault in Switzerland. The Swiss supreme court upheld a three-year sentence, with two years suspended, the following year, according to reports.
In addition to the prison sentence, Ramadan is required to pay damages to his victims. The case highlights the challenges of prosecuting sexual assault cases, particularly when they involve international legal complexities.
Ramadan has a history of controversy, having been dismissed as an integration advisor in Rotterdam in 2009 due to his appearances on a pro-Iranian television channel, and subsequently losing his collaboration with Erasmus University for the same reason.
