The rape trial of Tariq Ramadan at the Paris criminal court has been suspended and will not resume until Thursday at 14 p.m. The judges are still awaiting the medical report from specialists tasked with assessing the health of the accused, who has been hospitalized in Geneva for several days.
The hearing opened on Monday in the absence of the 63-year-old preacher. His lawyers indicated that he was suffering from a multiple sclerosis flare-up requiring medical treatment in Switzerland. Two neurologists appointed by the court are to determine whether his condition allows him to appear, but their assessment remains incomplete due to ongoing additional tests.
Medical expertise still awaited
Until this report is submitted, the court cannot decide whether the trial should continue or be postponed, as requested by the defense. The prosecution has expressed skepticism regarding this situation: on Monday, the public prosecutor stated that the accused was taking numerous steps to avoid appearing in court and even requested the issuance of an international arrest warrant.
Tariq Ramadan is to stand trial until March 27 for the alleged rape of three women, which reportedly took place between 2009 and 2016, charges he denies. Already convicted in Switzerland for another rape, the Islamic scholar faces a sentence of up to twenty years in prison in this case.
