Tariq Ramadan’s Wife Imad Speaks About Allegations
against Her Husband
Tariq went to Paris on the morning of January 31st
to answer police questions and since then I have neither heard from him or seen
him.
Nothing at all.
We were not allowed to visit him. We have not been allowed
yet. The permission was not given. Neither on the telephone or a visit.
Nothing.
He went voluntarily. He had full confidence in the justice
system and unfortunately justice has betrayed him.
And so far he has shown exemplary cooperation. He never
sought to escape justice. Actually he was waiting for justice to summon him in
order for him to be able to give his version of the events. So there is no
reason one could imagine, even for a moment, that he wants to escape.
I thought we were in a country where the presumption of
innocence was the rule and that he would have benefited from it up to now. I do
not understand why they are keeping him and I’m not sure right now that he is
getting fair and dignified treatment.
I believe that Tariq has been named guilty since the
beginning. It’s that feeling that I have. Just read the press. Just turn on the
TV and you would think he is guilty.
I think he is unfortunately the victim of this media
lynching due to the political pressure exerted on him. And at the same time
there are so many lies that at one point, it cannot be handled that it becomes
unbearable.
And that is how it is. I’m constantly torn between the desire
to be aware of what is said in the press or TV and then at the same time the
desire not to listen to anything, to lock myself in a bubble and convince myself
that justice will be done, and that he will come out completely cleared.
For me, all that I have read are false accusations. They are
completely erroneous facts that in no way represents him.
For example, the portrait that is made of my husband does
not correspond to anything that we know of him, of what I know of him, of what
his family knows of him, of what the people who know him, truly know him.
Tariq is fundamentally upright, dedicated, honest and fair
man, who cares about others. And seeing him treated this way, for me, is
painful.
Today I went to visit the lawyer and I learned very alarming
news about Tariq’s physical health. The lawyer said that he was not well. So
here, of course I am very worried. You must know that it’s been a few years now
that Tariq suffered from a severe chronic illness and needs very specific
treatment. The lawyer told us that in prison the treatment he should receive is
not available and that worries me a lot.
I think that on the spiritual level, yes, Tariq must be very
strong.
I hope so.
Now I know that when one is physically ill, when one suffers
from an illness and cannot benefit from the appropriate treatment, at a certain
point, the psychological health is also affected.
So for me, what I hope is that he remains strong.
Today I feel obliged to speak up because I am alarmed about
his condition and what the lawyer has told me.
I feel very thankful actually to have my children who came
to join me here. I have a son and a daughter who joined me, for the others it
is indeed difficult for them not to be here. Out of the four two could come.
I feel lucky anyway to have my daughter who accompanies me,
who supports me. Sometimes she breaks down, other times I do. Fortunately so
far, we have not broken down at the same time. But I know that without her I
would not be able to endure everything.
I think Tariq hopes that we will be strong and that we will
stand firm in the face of this injustice, in front of everything that is being
said in the media because they are trying to smear his image.
They are trying to break us, destroy us, destroy our family.
It’s really that feeling we have. They are not trying to destroy just one
person but the whole family.
I know that Tariq always tried to protect me. We always
tried to protect our family life. We never wanted to expose ourselves. It is a
very difficult exercise for me. I am not sure he would approve of it. Even if
today we’re not in normal conditions. We are in extraordinary circumstances. I
believe basically as in everything I do even if he does not necessarily agree.
I know that he will respect my choice and he will think it is the best.
I fundamentally believe in his innocence. In a rape case, if
the wife is not next to him, it is intolerable in fact. And so, for me it is
obvious to be there and it is an honour to support him today as it has always
been in fact.
What I would like to see is him being treated with dignity
taking into consideration the presumption of innocence.
I would like him to be free until his trial so that he can
defend himself serenely and under conditions other than those which he is in now.
If you want to be informed of the latest events, follow the
official #FreeTariqRamadan campaign that will give you all the updates
and verified information on the case.
(Imad Ramadan, 16
February 2018)
freetariqramadan.com
facebook.com/FreeTariqRamadanCampaign
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