Published：Mar 24, 11:04Last updated：Mar 26, 14:31

Tariq Ramadan Sentenced in High-Profile Rape Trial

Mar. 24, 2026 11:04

Tariq Ramadan, absent from his trial for rapes, is hospitalized in psychiatry as announced by his lawyers on March 24, 2026. The court proceedings continued after a short suspension, with the verdict expected on Wednesday. The trial is ongoing without his presence.

Summarized

11News

8Media

Mar. 26, 2026 04:07

Swiss Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan was found guilty of rape by a French court and sentenced to 18 years in prison. The verdict was announced in Paris, where Ramadan was present during a press conference on September 30, 2025. The case has garnered significant media attention and legal proceedings have concluded with this sentencing.

Mar. 26, 2026 14:31

Tariq Ramadan, a 63-year-old former Oxford professor, was sentenced to 18 years in prison by a French court for rape charges. He denied the allegations, but his lawyers stated he was too ill to attend the trial. The sentencing occurred on March 26, 2026, and the case drew significant media attention.

The high-profile trial of Swiss-Egyptian Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan concluded in Paris with a landmark verdict. Ramadan, a former Oxford professor, was found guilty of raping three women between 2009 and 2016. The proceedings, held in absentia due to his reported psychiatric hospitalization and ongoing health issues, resulted in an 18-year prison sentence. The case, closely watched across Europe, is seen as a significant moment for the MeToo movement in France and has attracted considerable media and public attention.Le Figaro+2

⚖️ The Trial and Verdict

The trial took place over three weeks in a closed session at the Paris criminal court. Ramadan was absent throughout, with his lawyers citing both psychiatric hospitalization and multiple sclerosis as reasons for his nonappearance. Despite his absence, the court proceeded, and on March 25, 2026, delivered a guilty verdict, sentencing him to 18 years in prison. The prosecution had also requested a permanent ban from French territory following his sentence and issued an arrest warrant due to his failure to appear.France 24+2

🧑‍⚖️ Legal and Social Impact

This case is one of the most prominent in France linked to the MeToo movement, highlighting issues of sexual violence and accountability among high-profile figures. Ramadan, previously convicted in Switzerland, has consistently denied the allegations. The verdict is viewed as a milestone for victims’ rights in France, reinforcing the judiciary’s willingness to pursue cases against influential individuals, even in absentia.La Presse+2

🌍 International Repercussions

Ramadan’s conviction has reverberated internationally, given his stature as a leading Islamic scholar and his former academic role at Oxford. The case has sparked debates about due process, the rights of the accused, and the responsibilities of public figures. Media coverage has been extensive, with the trial’s outcome expected to influence similar cases and legal reforms in France and beyond.Le Monde+1

OxfordSwitzerlandTariq RamadanParis criminal court