Swiss Islamologist Tariq Ramadan. AFP
Swiss Islamologist Tariq Ramadan. AFP
Swiss Islamologist Tariq Ramadan. AFP
Swiss Islamologist Tariq Ramadan. AFP

New evidence emerges against Tariq Ramadan


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Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan has been denied release from custody for the third time by a French court before his trial for alleged sex crimes, based on new evidence gathered from his phone and computer.

IT experts who examined Mr Ramadan’s electronic devices found discrepancies between the data collected from the devices and the version of events presented by the Swiss theologian, said French news agency AFP.

The 82-page IT report filed on September 24 includes explicit SMS messages sent by Mr Ramadan to two of the plaintiffs. This contradicts Mr Ramadan's statements, in which he claimed to have never had sexual intercourse with the two women.

The French court cited this as grounds for keeping Mr Ramadan in detention.

Mr Ramadan is a professor of contemporary Islamic studies at the University of Oxford and the grandson of the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al-Banna.

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Read more: 

Tariq Ramadan to face prosecutor over alleged rape of Swiss woman

Tariq Ramadan charged in Switzerland over rape allegations

Tariq Ramadan accuser says academic must 'recognise the truth'

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The 56-year-old, who has been held in a prison south of Paris since February 2, could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted of rape charges, and another 20 years for the sexual assault of a disabled woman.

A third appeal for his release was rejected by a French court, on the grounds that the treatment of multiple sclerosis – which the Oxford professor suffers from – is compatible with detention. Mr Ramadan’s attorneys had unsuccessfully lobbied for their client to be released on bail.

Earlier this month Mr Ramadan had been subject to a 10-hour-long interrogation at the presence of one of his accusers, identified as Christelle. The disabled woman claimed to have been raped and beaten in a hotel room in the French city of Lyon in 2009.

Mr Ramadan is also under inquiry for the allegation filed by French feminist and former Salafi Henda Ayari, as well as by a Swiss woman who claimed she was raped in a hotel room in Geneva in 2008.

Mr Ramadan’s brother, Bilal, filed an appeal to Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset signed by 250 of Mr Ramadan’s supporters, including notable names among the Swiss political ranks.

His supporters pleaded for Mr Berset to pressure French authorities into releasing him. Mr Ramadan has denied all charges and maintains he is the victim of a smear campaign.

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia

'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure' ​​​​
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse

England squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale 

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse

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Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi

Favourite TV show: That 70s Show

Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving

Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can

Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home

Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big

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Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm

Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK 

Ministry of Interior
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Syrian National Security Bureau
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Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
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His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell

His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard

Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece

Favourite movie - The Last Emperor

Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great

Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos

 

 

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