(National-UAE) The presence of Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan at a conference on sexual violence in the suburbs of Paris provoked a backlash of indignation among organisers and attendees.
Mr Ramadan, who is facing charges for the rape of two women, was spotted in the audience during a conference in Saint-Denis on Monday and was asked to leave.
“His attendance as spectator is an unacceptable provocation,” municipal representative Madjid Messaoudene said, according to French media.
“Neither the municipality or the participants had invited Mr Ramadan to attend the event or wanted him to be present.”
Mr Messaoudene said that while “it is not possible to physically force Mr Ramadan to quit a public meeting,” he was asked multiple times to leave.
