Tariq Ramadan, a Swiss Islamic scholar, was sentenced to three years in prison for rape and sexual coercion.
The Geneva court overturned his previous acquittal on September 10, recognizing him as guilty for most of the reported acts.
Ramadan had initially been acquitted in May 2023, but the plaintiff, known as “Brigitte,” appealed the decision.
She accused him of violent sexual assault in a Geneva hotel room on the night of October 28, 2008.
The correctional court initially ruled there was insufficient evidence against Ramadan, citing contradictory testimonies and “love messages.”
The three appeal judges disagreed, concluding that medical records, expert opinions, and testimonies supported Brigitte’s claims.
Brigitte filed the complaint in 2018, inspired by other accusations against Ramadan in France, where further charges await.
Ramadan acknowledged their encounter but claimed Brigitte invited herself to his room and sought revenge after rejection.
In France, Ramadan faces charges for raping three women between 2009 and 2016, while a fourth case was dismissed.
The ruling in Switzerland can be appealed to the Federal Tribunal within thirty days of the August 28 decision.
Tariq Ramadan, a prominent Swiss Islamic scholar and professor, has faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct since 2017.
His legal troubles began when several women in France and Switzerland accused him of rape and sexual assault, leading to high-profile cases in both countries.
Ramadan, who was once a well-respected academic and a public intellectual on Islamic issues, has consistently denied the allegations, claiming they were part of a smear campaign against him.
The first accusations in France surfaced during the #MeToo movement, sparking investigations and trials that have severely impacted his public image and career.