Islamic scholar facing rape charges hospitalised in France

PARIS: Prominent Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan, who was remanded in custody in France on rape charges earlier in the month, has been hospitalised due to multiple sclerosis, his support group said Saturday.

The 55-year-old Oxford University professor, who will now undergo an independent medical evaluation to determine if he is to remain in jail before trial, was sent to hospital on Friday night, a source close the case confirmed.

“His state of health is getting worse, particularly since the judges refused to issue a visit permit to his wife and children yesterday,” a source close to Ramadan said on Saturday. Another source close to the case said he would remain in hospital at least until Sunday. Ramadan’s lawyers said that their client’s condition was “not compatible with detention”, based on an initial medical examination on Tuesday.