A Swiss appeals court has overturned the acquittal of Tariq Ramadan, a prominent Islamic scholar, on charges of rape and sexual coercion against a woman. Ramadan, a descendant of the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, denied the allegations made by a Swiss woman regarding an incident in 2008.
The Geneva criminal court of appeal’s ruling on Aug. 28 sentenced Ramadan to three years in prison, with one year to be served. The decision was based on testimonies, medical notes, and expert opinions that supported the complainant’s story.
Ramadan has the option to appeal the ruling to a higher Swiss federal court. This development has reignited discussions surrounding sexual assault allegations against high-profile individuals, highlighting the importance of holding perpetrators accountable regardless of their status.