Islamic Scholar Tariq Ramadan Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Rape
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 case that has garnered international attention. The verdict was delivered in absentia on Wednesday evening, with an arrest warrant issued for the 63-year-old professor DW News.
Background and Allegations
Tariq Ramadan, born August 26, 1962, in Geneva, Switzerland, is a scholar of Islamic studies, philosophy, and theology. He is the son of Said Ramadan and Wafa al-Banna, and the grandson of Hassan al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt Wikipedia. Prior to the allegations, Ramadan held prestigious academic positions, including professor at St Antony’s College, Oxford, and the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford Wikipedia.
The charges stem from accusations made between 2009 and 2016. Ramadan has consistently denied the allegations, but admitted to having contact with the women involved DW News. The case is considered a significant outcome of the #MeToo movement in France The Guardian.
Trial and Verdict
Ramadan did not appear in person at the Paris trial, with his lawyers citing a “flare-up” of multiple sclerosis requiring hospitalization in Geneva, Switzerland. However, a court-ordered medical assessment rejected this claim DW News. The court has banned Ramadan from entering French territory following the completion of his sentence.
The judge adjourned proceedings on March 2, 2026, to assess Ramadan’s health after his lawyers stated he was hospitalized due to multiple sclerosis The Guardian.
Previous Conviction in Switzerland
In 2024, Ramadan was convicted of rape and sexual assault in a separate case in Switzerland. The Swiss supreme court upheld a sentence of three years in prison, two of which were suspended, after rejecting his appeal in 2025 DW News.
Extradition Challenges
Switzerland does not extradite its citizens to other countries, creating uncertainty regarding the enforcement of the French sentence DW News.
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