Islamic theologian Ramadan held in Paris over rape allegations

Prominent Islamic theologian Tariq Ramadan has been held for questioning in Paris over rape allegations made against him last year, a judicial source said on Wednesday.

Two women made rape allegations against Ramadan last year in France, as the country saw an outpouring of accounts of sexual misconduct in the wake of allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation in October. Ramadan, a native of Switzerland, subsequently took leave from his position as professor of contemporary Islamic studies at Oxford University in Britain.

Ramadan is popular with many pious younger European Muslims of immigrant origins, and has argued for an approach to Islam adapted to life in Europe. But he has come under attack, particularly in France, from secularists who accuse him of being a stalking horse for political Islam.    (dpa)