France: Prosecution Requests 18 Years in Prison for Tariq Ramadan (Update: Convicted)

Tariq Ramadan

Tariq Ramadan, grandson of Muslim Brotherhood founder Hasan al-Banna, has been convicted of rape in absentia by a Paris court and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Ramadan, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, is in Switzerland, where he was born. He is known throughout the world as an expert, philosopher, and scholar on Islam. I have heard him speak twice in California and was able to ask him a question in a brief one-on-one setting. 

It is unclear what will happen now since Ramadan, who has always protested his innocence, is a Swiss citizen and is not currently in France.

The below article in Le Figaro is translated by Fousesquawk. Just as we were finishing the translation, the news broke that Ramadan had been convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison as requested by the prosecutor.

Rape trial: 18 years in prison requested for Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan

The preacher, who never appeared at his trial, is accused of raping three women. The criminal court has issued an arrest warrant for him.

-Le Figaro and AFP

One day ago

A prison sentence of 18 years was requested Tuesday in the rape trial of Swiss Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan, in the Paris Departmental Criminal Court, which has tried him in absentia and behind closed doors for the rapes of three women, a judicial source indicated.

The Public Prosecutor's Office also asked for an arrest warrant for the accused, who has not appeared before French justice since the beginning of his trial, as well as a permanent ban from French territory once his sentence is served. "The prosecutor, over the course of three hours, demonstrated the immense culpability of Tariq Ramadan. Whether he is present at the hearing or not, I think that the demands would have been the same: implacable," Attorney David-Olivier Kaminski, lawyer for Henda Ayari, told Le Figaro.  

A "parody of justice" according to his 4 attorneys

The trial of Tariq Ramadan began on March 2 without him being present in the courtroom. His attorneys then explained that he had been hospitalized in Geneva, Switzerland 2 two days earlier due to what, according to them, was a "flare-up" of multiple sclerosis. The president of the criminal court, Corinne Goetzmann, then ordered a medical examination by two neurologists designed to evaluate his state of health in order to decide upon a postponement of the trial to a later date or not.

In this report, read in the court by the magistrate on March 6, the experts concluded that "the multiple schlerosis (which the Islamic scholar had suffered from for several years), was stable, without signs of a recent flare-up, and stated that he could appear before the criminal court. The president then rejected a request for a postponement of the trial and decided that the 63-year-old accused would be tried in absentia behind closed doors as requested by the civil party. She also indicated that an arrest warrant to" be executed and disseminated immediately" would be issued against him. His four attorneys left the courtroom, stating that they could not defend their client in this "parody of justice".

My New Book

 This is to announce to all my friends, enemies, and readers that I have just published my 4th book. Unlike my first three books, which had nothing to do with drugs, DEA, or law enforcement, this one is autobiographical. It is the story of my law enforcement career, beginning as a US Army military policeman in Germany in the 1960s, my 2-1/2 years as a US Customs agent, and my 22 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), lasting to 1995. It also has chapters about my experiences dealing with campus anti-Semitism issues when I was teaching at the University of California at Irvine from 1998-2016. In addition, there is a chapter dealing with militant Islam, based on my personal experiences from about 2006 to the present.

The book is available on Amazon, either in hardback, paperback, or E-copy (Kindle). The Kindle version should be available within a couple of days.

When Professors and Academic Departments Abuse Their Positions

 This article first appeared in New English Review.

 

An open letter has recently been sent to the University of California Regents, urging them to take remedial action against three of their campuses, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC Santa Cruz, which the letter-signers say have allowed faculty and entire departments to use their positions and university resources to spread anti-Israel narratives on campus. This has greatly contributed to a dramatic increase of campus anti-Semitism and a toxic campus environment for Jewish students. The letter was drafted by UCLA Professor Judea Pearl and UC Santa Cruz Professor Emeritus Ilan Benjamin.

 As a former adjunct lecturer at the UC Irvine Extension from 1998-2016, and as a non-Jew, this writer has personally witnessed this same problem at UC Irvine going back 20 years. That includes personally attending and witnessing numerous anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian speaking events, in which speakers often crossed the line from legitimate criticism of Israel's policies to blatant anti-Semitic hate speech. That also includes witnessing Jewish/pro-Israel events disrupted by members of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the UC Irvine Muslim Student Union (MSU). While many of the anti-Israel events involved speakers invited by SJP and/or MSU, many events have been sponsored by professors and entire academic departments, leaving the impression that their messages carried the imprimatur of the university. Events actually witnessed by this writer include a speaking appearance on January 14, 2014, by Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) co-founder Omar Barghouti, at UC Riverside, sponsored by the UCR Humanities and Ethnic Studies departments. In addition, on January 31, 2009, there was an all-day conference at UC Irvine, co-sponsored by the UC Irvine Center for Global Peace and Conflict Studies, and dedicated to condemning Israel, in which several professors from UC Irvine and UCLA participated as speakers. On October 8, 2008, there was a speaking appearance by Ibrahim El-Hudaiby, a Muslim Brotherhood representative from Egypt, at a UC Irvine history class.

 The anecdotal examples, both above and more recently, are far too many to list all of them here, but several more recent incidents should be highlighted, particularly those that occurred after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023 and the 2+-week Gaza encampment at UC Irvine in May 2024. Even after all that, UC faculty and departments have continued their agitation.

 Most recently, UC Berkeley professor Hatem Bazian, a co-founder of SJP, appeared at UC Irvine on March 4, 2026 and spoke on “Settler colonialism and genocide in Gaza: The ummah’s responsibility”. Bazian has spoken repeatedly at UC Irvine and other campuses over the years, and many of his public statements have led to charges of anti-Semitism.

In September 2025, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP) held a protest against a joint UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering/Tel Aviv University conference held on the campus from September 9-12.

 On May 15, 2025, FSJP joined with SJP and UCI Divest in a protest calling for BDS, in which a UC Irvine professor was reportedly arrested for pouring red dye into a fountain.

 Also, in May 2025, the UC Irvine Faculty Association Board issued a statement demonizing Israel and expressing support for the pro-Palestinian encampment that was broken up by police the previous year.

 And in May 2024, there was the encampment, which greatly disrupted UC Irvine operations and led to the police breakup on May 15. In the lead-up to the fiasco, a chapter of the newly-created Faculty for Justice in Palestine (FSP) was established to support the disruptive activities of SJP. This UC Irvine group, later known as Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP), fully supported the encampment and reportedly posted an image on May 1, 2024, in which students were encouraged to join the encampment. Two days later, this faculty group reportedly posted a video accusing Israel of the “targeted killing of health care workers and journalists”. During the 2+ weeks of the encampment, Hatem Bazian came to speak and encourage the protesters. In addition, when police broke up the encampment on May 15, two of the arrestees were UC Irvine professors.

 These are just a few examples. Abuses like these are happening across the UC system and in countless other universities. It is bad enough that students are violating the rules of conduct with little or no accountability. It is scandalous when university faculty and entire departments are abusing their positions and university resources to advance their political agendas, in this case, resulting in dramatic increases in campus anti-Semitism directed at Jewish students. When an academic department takes sides on sensitive political or social issues, it puts the entire university in a position of seeming to put its own imprimatur on that side. And when it comes to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the inevitable result is exploding anti-Semitism on our campuses. 

 

 

 

Netherlands: Geert Wilders Reacts to Recent Anti-Jewish Bombings

 Several days ago, we reported on a series of anti-Jewish bombing attacks that occurred in Liege, Belgium, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. Dutch politician Geert Wilders denounced the lax immigration policies of the Dutch government in a speech in the Dutch Parliament. The video below was subtitled by RAIR Foundation USA, Vlad Tepes, and Gates of Vienna, and Fousesquawk assisted in the translation.

The other man in the video who Wilders is debating, the one who looks like he has a bad hangover, is the Minister of Justice and Security, David van Weel.

Italy: Two Faces of Turin

While the mayor of Turin, Italy, Stefano Lo Russo, was congratulating the city's Muslim population, many of whom were performing the end of Ramadan prayers in public spaces, the migrant crime problem in the city continued. This week, 4 young Egyptian men were arrested and charged with a series of violent street robberies in which they snatched gold necklaces from their victims.

The article below in Imola Oggi is translated by Fousesquawk.

Turin: They robbed and filmed themselves on social media: Egyptian gang busted

-Imola Oggi  19 March 2026

They attacked victims on the street to snatch their gold necklaces and filmed themselves, then posting it  on social media, including TikTok.

Torino, March 19- This is what has emerged from an investigation by the National Police, which has led to the arrests of 4 persons deemed responsible for a series of violent robberies in Turin. The precautionary measures carried out by the Mobile Squad, led by Director Davide Corazzini, under the command of the preliminary investigating judge, concern young men of Egyptian origin, accused of various counts, of three episodes, which occurred between the downtown and the nightlife zone, in particular, the Sambuy Gardens, and near Valentino Park.

Among them, (is) the presumed leader of the group, already in custody for similar crimes. According to what has been reconstructed by the investigators, the victims were approached and taken by surprise: The robbers acted in a group, using knives and pepper spray to immobilize them and take their necklaces, then taking off.

Crucial to the investigation were the video surveillance system, photographic recognition, and checking (leads), which led to the reconstruction of who was in the gang and the role of the alleged robbers. In the course of the investigation, the use of social networking also emerged, where some of the accused posted content connected to their actions, defiantly exhibiting their "trophies".

Italy: Public End of Ramadan Prayers Cause Backlash

-Il Giornale

Ramadan has ended, and in some Italian cities, like Rome and Turin, thousands of Muslims took to public streets to hold prayers. This is not sitting well with many people including some Italian politicians who ask why it is being permitted especially since Christians in Muslim in many countries would never be able to do the same thing.

The below article by Giulia Sorrentino in Il Giornale is translated by Fousesquawk.

Public spaces "occupied" by Ramadan: Here is the axis between Muslims and the left

In Turin, Mayor Lo Russo is in the streets for the prayer of the ending of the fast: "The meaning of Ramadan is to go to the essence of things". In Rome, the prayer in Piazza Consoli.  And in Prato, the diocese has consented to the use of the inner square of the San Domenico complex.

By Giulia Sorrentino 20 March 2026 at 13:18

The axis between Muslims and the left is increasingly evident, and further proof of this connection is the end of Ramadan prayer, which sees our public spaces "dedicated" to the ceremony of the end of the fasting period. In Turin, Mayor Stefano Lo Russo was present, the same one who seldom misses an opportunity to give institutional support to this community, for certainly, he could not be exempt this time. "The profound meaning of Ramadan is that of going to the essence of things, looking inward, trying to understand things that are important. We are in a very complicated season of history, in which it is difficult to find the coordinates and to understand what is happening, and so, this profound meaning that Ramadan has for all people of the Muslim faith, also assumes a significance for those who are not religious, and who at this moment, are stimulated to go to the essense of things. Because today we all need to find meaning, balance, and humanity". Then he thanked "the Muslim community for their daily commitment and for the contribution to our city" and the message of a now evident union: "Together, we can continue to construct a more just, more solid, more humane Turin."  

The prayer in Piazza Consoli in Rome, with the authorization of City Hall, is causing controversy, and the head of (Rome) Lega (party), Fabrizio Santori, in denouncing it, has decided to submit a question in the Campidoglio (City Hall). " What is happening in these hours is unacceptable. The public square has been given over to the cult of Islam like an open-air mosque, putting in jeopardy the safety of residents in their daily lives. And it is also natural to ask if a similar event organized by Christians, or the simple celebration of an open-air mass would be permitted in an Islamic country. Women locked in enclosures so as not to disturb the men, once again, is testimony to the contempt, sexism, violence, and marginalization: Behavior from which our civilization tries every day to completely emancipate itself, is instead repeated without shame or any protest in front of the eyes of thousands of people, and even endorsed through the permits from the administration. 

However, since, perhaps, someone has exchanged Italy for Mecca (nothing like this has even been seen with Christians, let alone with those who have no accord with the Italian State), this year the Diocese of Prato has also consented to the use of the inner square of the San Domenico complex to celebrate the end of Ramadan. It would be appropriate if we all ask ourselves how Christians are treated in Muslim countries before we continue to submit on all fronts. 

Settlement of Lawsuit With UC Berkeley

The University of California at Berkeley has settled a lawsuit brought by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under the Law, which alleged anti-Semitic bias at UCB, particularly within its law school.

You can read the Brandeis press release here.

Obviously, I am happy with this news, and I congratulate the Brandeis Center. Under the leadership of Kenneth Marcus, they are doing great work in exposing and combating campus anti-Semitism.

I also note that we reported on the law school controversy back in 2022 when several law school student associations passed changes to their by-laws to the effect no pro-Israel speakers would be welcome to appear on campus. In fact, I exchanged letters with Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky over this issue while it was ongoing.

There is still much to be done at UCB, the entire University of California system, and in so many universities across the nation. It will require the attention not only of organizations like the Brandeis Center, but the Department of Education, the Congress, and whichever administration is in power to hold the universities' feet to the fire. When it comes to campus anti-Semitism, it cannot continue to be business as usual. Those students, faculty, or staff who foment hate against Jews or any other group should have no place on any campus.

Netherlands: Writer/Activist Suggests Israel/Jews May Be Behind Recent Bombings

Anja Meulenbelt (l)

Dutch writer Anja Meulenbeld, who is also a pro-Palestinian activist, has caused a stir in the Netherlands with her observation that the recent bombings in Belgium and the Netherlands of Jewish synagogues and schools may be the work of Israel or Jews themselves in an effort to win sympathy. The local Jewish community, already under attack, has, understandably, reacted with anger.

The article below from De Telegraaf is translated by Fousesquawk

Controversial PC Hooft prize winner Anja Meulenbelt causes anger with her statement about the attacks on synagogues

Tuesday 17 March 2026 09:30- De Telegraaf
In this article:

Anja Meulenbelt (81), known as a writer and Palestinian activist, has once again caused controversy by comments under a Facebook report suggesting that Jews or Israel itself may have organized anti-Semitism attacks in order to win sympathy. She called the possibility historically, not impossible, and, according to the report, wrote that, "Israel and the Zionist lobby have an interest in more anti-Semitism," after which, she added that she is not presenting it as a definitive fact, more as an option.

Her remarks came shortly after two recent incidents: Early Friday morning, something exploded at the synagogue in Rotterdam-Blijdorp: The same day, 4 young men from Tilburg (ages 17-19) were arrested. One day later, there was an explosion at the outer wall of the Cheider Jewish school in Buitenveldert, Amsterdam-South. The insertion of the word "attacks" between quotation marks and proposing a self-directed theory caused strong indignation within the Dutch Jewish community.

Dave Heilbron, treasurer of the Central Jewish Council, called Meulenbelt's claims shocking and unacceptable, and stated that the dissemination of such conspiracy theories harms an already polarized situation. He himself suggested that the leadership of the PC Hooft-prize should reconsider her award. The leadership of the literature prize refuses to respond in a substantive manner and points out that Meulenbelt was writing in a personal capacity.

Meulenbelt, who has written several books on the Gaza Strip and earlier expressed understanding for the October 7, 2023 attacks, this year became the first woman to receive the PC Hooft prize-a choice that was met with criticism within literary circles even before (the award was made). The discussion underlines both the sensitivity around anti-Semitism and conspiracy theories, as well as the tension between artistic prestige and political activism.

Is the Exorcist Coming Back to Georgetown?

Georgetown University, where the old film, "The Exorcist", was filmed, and which has seen its share of campus anti-Semitism coming from the pro-Palestinian crowd, is all up in arms about something the College Republicans posted on X about Islam. The campus newspaper, The Hoya, is devoting front-page coverage to the issue. Below is the statement in question:

"Let’s Be Honest: Muslims have no place in American society.”

The College Republicans have taken down the post and apologized for the wording. The university is investigating, though the facts seem to be pretty clear.

Here is my take: I personally would not have said it in that manner. To say that no Muslims have any place in American society is wrong. I know some wise guy is going to come back and say that I myself have stated the same thing right here on this site many, many times. 

Not exactly. What I have said and will repeat is that Islam, and specifically sharia, are incompatible with our society, Western values, or what have you. To be accurate, not every aspect of sharia is contrary to our values, but much of it is, like stoning for adultery, the death penalty for apostasy, blasphemy, and unequal treatment of women, homosexuals, and non-Muslims. Those are the things that have no place in American society.

In its follow-up to the original post, the College Republicans expressed those very things. In that respect, those specific aspects of sharia, not to mention certain world events, should be open to serious discussion.

As an aside, another thing that should be open for discussion is the Saudi and Qatrari-funded Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU), which, in spite of its misleading name, is nothing but a propaganda center on the Georgetown University campus. 

Rather than have that discussion, however, Georgetown seems to be calling in the exorcists.

Netherlands: The Man Who Reportedly Gave the Order for the Murder of Peter R. de Vries

Peter R. de Vries (right)- The murder scene July 6, 2021 (left)

Over the past several years, we have translated Dutch articles regarding the assassination of famed Dutch crime reporter, Peter R. de Vries, who was gunned down in 2021 in Amsterdam. It has always been believed that the murder was carried out by two hitmen hired by the notorious Mocro-Maffia (Moroccan Mafia). Both the convicted assassins and Mocro Maffia leader Ridouan Taghi, are serving long sentences in the Netherlands. The Mocro-Maffia is a particularly vicious organization made up mostly of Moroccans residing in the Netherlands and Belgium. They control most of the cocaine traffic flowing into those two countries.

Now, a member of the organization, imprisoned in Morocco, has reportedly identified the person (also imprisoned in Morocco) who allegedly gave the order to murder de Vries.

The article below from the conservative Dutch outlet  Dageljkse Standaard, is translated by Fousesquawk.

Explosive: Taghi's cousin, Jaouad F., gave the murder order on Peter R. de Vries, inner circle leader Ismail, M., declares in Morocco

Domestic 17 March 2026 at 14:00

Finally, a breakthrough that nobody can deny anymore: The Mocro Maffia (Moroccan Mafia) was behind it. The 34-year-old Ismail M., a key figure in the Ridouan Taghi organization, has delivered a damning statement in Morocco on the murder of Peter R. de Vries. He points the finger at Jaouad F., the first cousin and confidant of Taghi-nicknamed the "man of violence" of the gang- as the man who gave the order. For the first time, someone from the inner circle makes a direct link between Taghi's network and the assassination of our greatest crime reporter.

Ismail M.-alias Jarki- was arrested in Morocco in October 2025.  He sent out photos of Peter R. de Vries via encrypted phone to the Polish hitman, Krystian M. (sentenced to 26 years). In the images, de Vries stood at the RTL Boulevard desk, just before the fatal shooting on July 6, 2021. Caption: "This is the dog you need." Classic Mocro-slang. Ismail M. directed the killers, and now he states that the cousin, Jaouad F., was the one who gave the order. Why is he talking? Perhaps, a deal, perhaps, fear- for months, rumors have been circulating that someone in Morocco was talking. 

Jaouad F. (32) is serving a 6-year sentence in Morocco for drugs, but there is an investigation into whether he can be prosecuted for the murder of de Vries. He is the right-hand man of Taghi, involved in several killings-including that of the attorney Derk Wiersum. The M. family is deep within the gang: two brothers of Ismail are serving sentences for murders on Taghi's orders.

This is no longer a rumor, nor speculation. This is testimony from the core of the Mocro-Maffia that finally gives the Public Prosecutor's Office the link they were looking for. Peter R. de Vries paid with his life because he got too close: He advised crown witness, Nabil B., dug into the killing of Taghi's brother, and kept digging. The gang struck back. And now it is leaking out.

The elite in the Hague and the mainstream media, who were always shouting, "no link with Taghi" or "not proven", can now shut their mouths. This is the reality: A ruthless drug and murder gang from the Moroccan scene has, for years, dictated the agenda in the Netherlands. They eliminated journalists, lawyers, and witnesses. And the State? Weak, slow, politically correct. Peter R. de Vries deserves justice. Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end for the rest of the gang. But one thing is for sure: The Mocro-Maffia had it in for him. And they murdered him. 

Netherlands: Police Post Images of 2 Amsterdam Bombing Suspects

 Dutch police have posted surveillance camera images of two suspects in the bombing of a Jewish school in Amsterdam this weekend. The video below, published by De Telegraaf, is translated by Fousesquawk. Hat tip to RAIR Foundation USA, Gates of Vienna, and Vlad Tepes for subtitling.

Netherlands: Another Bomb Attack Against Jewish School (Amsterdam)

-RTL (Nl)

Early Saturday morning, at about 3:45 am, someone riding on a motor scooter placed an explosive device in front of a Jewish school and fled after detonating it. Since nobody was present at that hour, there were no injuries. This follows a similar attack in front of a Jewish synagogue in Rotterdam the day before, as well as a synagogue in Liege, Belgium, early last Monday morning. Police suspect all three attacks may be connected.

Amsterdam suspects (Dutch police) 

We are working on a Dutch news video and adding English subtitles.

It is important to note here that these attacks put the lie to the apologists' statements that it is all about Israel/Zionism and not Jews. That is a lie. This resurgence of anti-Semitism goes far beyond mere opposition to Zionism or Israel's current war. If it were just about Israel, you would think the attacks would be directed against Israeli embassies, consulates, and other installations. Instead, what we are witnessing are attacks against synagogues and Jewish schools.

*Update (March 15, 2026): Here is the above-mentioned video from NOS (Nl). Hat tip RAIR Foundation USA, Vlad Tepes, and Gates of Vienna for subtitling. Translation by Fousesquawk.