Swiss Appeals Court Overturns Acquittal of Tariq Ramadan

A Swiss appeals court has overturned the acquittal of Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan on charges of rape and sexual coercion. The decision reverses a previous ruling and sentences him to three years in prison. Ramadan, who denies the allegations, can appeal to a higher Swiss federal court.

A Swiss appeals court has overturned the acquittal of prominent Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan on charges of rape and sexual coercion, Geneva's cantonal government announced on Tuesday. Ramadan, the grandson of Muslim Brotherhood founder Hasan al-Banna, had been acquitted in May 2023 but now faces a three-year prison sentence, with one year to be served.

The Geneva criminal court's decision, dated August 28, came after reevaluating multiple testimonies, medical reports, and expert opinions that corroborated the complainant's account. The allegations pertain to an incident in 2008 involving an unnamed Swiss woman in a Geneva hotel. Ramadan vehemently denies the charges.

Following the ruling, Ramadan retains the option to appeal to a higher Swiss federal court, potentially extending the legal battle further.

(With inputs from agencies.)