Overview
- Ramadan’s trial on charges of raping three women in France between 2009 and 2016 opened on March 2, but he did not appear, with his lawyers citing hospitalization in Geneva for an aggravation of multiple sclerosis.
- The cour criminelle départementale de Paris ordered an urgent, file-based medical assessment by two neurologists to evaluate his fitness to stand trial.
- The court scheduled proceedings to resume on Wednesday, when judges will decide whether to continue as planned or postpone the trial based on the experts’ findings.
- Public prosecutor Philippe Courroye asked the court to issue an international arrest warrant, arguing Ramadan breached judicial control by being in Switzerland and not residing near Paris as required.
- One complainant known as “Christelle” requested a closed hearing to protect her identity, a right in rape cases; Ramadan contests the allegations and faces up to 20 years in prison, and he was convicted on appeal in Switzerland in 2024 to three years, including one year in prison.