French Footballer Benzema Takes Legal Action Against Interior Minister Over Muslim Brotherhood Accusations
French football star Karim Benzema has initiated legal proceedings against Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, accusing him of defamation after alleging Benzema's "notorious" links to the Islamist organisation, the Muslim Brotherhood. In the 92-page complaint filed on Tuesday, Benzema, 36, asserted that he “never had the slightest connection with the Muslim Brotherhood organisation."
The dispute began in October when Benzema expressed solidarity with victims in Gaza through social media platform X. The interior minister criticised Benzema for not expressing sympathy for Israeli victims, claiming the footballer's links to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is banned in various countries, but not in most of the European Union, where its influence is often seen through front organisations advocating for Islamic causes.
Benzema, a practising Muslim, swiftly denied the claims and threatened legal action for slander. The case, now at the Court of Justice of the Republic, accuses Darmanin of "political exploitation" and compromising Benzema's reputation.
This legal dispute follows previous criticism from Darmanin, including Benzema's refusal to sing the national anthem. The footballer's lawyer emphasised the false nature of the accusations, characterising them as a "false communication stunt" causing division in France. Darmanin has not yet responded to the recent complaint.
