GENEVA (AFP) -- The Swiss
Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan went on trial in Geneva charged with “rape and sexual coercion”, allegations which the former Oxford University professor denied.
The Swiss intellectual, a charismatic yet controversial figure in European Islam, could face two to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Sometimes smiling and sometimes tetchy, Ramadan did not hide his emotions during the first day of his trial at the Geneva Criminal Court.
The Swiss complainant, who wishes to be known under the assumed name of “Brigitte”, was in her 40s at the time of the alleged attack on October 28, 2008.
In court, a screen was placed between Ramadan and Brigitte at her request, so that they could not see each other.
Ramadan said he had not told Brigitte that he was in Geneva and insisted that she had invited him for a coffee, and then invited herself to his hotel room, having sent him a string of messages.
Asked by a judge why he accepted the invitation, he replied: “I got these messages from someone who says they’ve met me before; I don’t remember. She has a nice way with words, she’s smart. Like any man, one can be intrigued.”
“It’s not a philosophical or sentimental meeting. It’s curiosity about a woman who is extremely insistent on seeing me,” he continued.
Suffering from depression and multiple sclerosis, Ramadan said he wanted to “fight” against what he called the “lies and manipulation” in the case. He insisted he had “never sexually assaulted anyone”.
His children were in court to see him give evidence.
Ramadan’s defense revealed that it intends to call the controversial French comedian Dieudonne to give evidence on Tuesday.
The trial is expected to last three days. The verdict will be delivered on May 24, and Ramadan will be able to appeal if convicted.
Controversial among secularists who see him as a supporter of political Islam, Ramadan obtained his doctorate from the University of Geneva, with his thesis focused on his grandfather, who founded Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood movement.
He was a professor of contemporary Islamic studies at Britain’s prestigious Oxford University until November 2017, and held visiting roles at universities in Qatar and Morocco.
He was forced to take a leave of absence when rape allegations surfaced in France at the height of the “Me Too” movement, over suspected attacks in France between 2009 and 2016.
Brigitte filed a complaint with the Geneva courts in April 2018.