Karim Benzema sues French Interior Minister for defamation after being accused of having ties to terrorist organisation
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused Karim Benzema (36) of having links to the Muslim Brotherhood, classified as a terrorist organisation by multiple nation-states. The latter quickly denied the accusations, and according to RTL, has now officially filed a defamation lawsuit against the former.
In October, Benzema took to X (formerly Twitter) to pay tribute to Gazan victims amidst the conflict with Israel. “All our prayers for the habitants of Gaza, once again victims of these unfair bombings that spare neither women nor children,” said the former France international. Those comments drew criticism from politicians such as Nadine Morano, a member of the European Parliament since 2014, who called Benzema an “agent of Hamas propaganda.”
Speaking to C News, Daramanin then accused Benzema of having links to a terrorist organisation. “[He] has notorious ties, as we all know, with the Muslim Brotherhood.” Benzema immediately denied these claims.
The Muslim Brotherhood are classed as a terrorist organisation in Russia, Egypt, Bahrain, the UAE, Austria, and Saudi Arabia, where Benzema currently plays his football with Al-Ittihad. They are no classed as a terrorist organisation in France.
As expected, Benzema’s lawyer, Hugues Vigier, has now filed a defamation lawsuit against Darmanin. The file, according to RTL, is 92 pages long, and was handed to the Cour de la Justice de la République on Tuesday. Benzema’s lawyer states that Darmanin’s comments undermine his clients honour and reputation.
Vigier has said that Benzema is the victim of “political exploitation” and accused the interior minister of “sowing division in France”. Darmanin is yet to respond to the lawsuit.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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