The French footballer Karim Benzema, has filed a defamation lawsuit against France’s interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, for accusing him of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood. Darmanin had claimed that Benzema “has a notorious link” with the Sunni Muslim Islamist group. Benzema’s lawyer stated that the comment undermines his honour and reputation. The Muslim Brotherhood is banned in several countries, including Egypt, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
Benzema, who plays for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and is a Muslim, quickly issued a denial and threatened legal action against the minister for slander. In his 92-page complaint, he stated that he “has never had the slightest link with the Muslim Brotherhood organisation, nor to (his) knowledge with anyone who claims to be a member of it.
His lawyer accused the interior minister of sowing division in France. Darmanin is yet to comment on the complaint. He has previously targeted Karim Benzema for other reasons, including his refusal to sing the French national anthem and his proselytising on social networks.
