Veteran striker Karim Benzema filed a complaint on Tuesday against French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on charges of defamation, after the latter said that the former Spanish Real Madrid star and current Saudi Al-Ittihad player was linked to the terrorist “Brotherhood” group.
Darmanan, the right-winger who aspires to reach the presidency, criticized Benzema after the former international striker, who won the Ballon d’Or for Best Player in 2022, published on the “X” website in mid-October a message of support for the residents of Gaza, the victims of the “unjust bombing” carried out by Israel, he said in response. On the unprecedented attack launched by Hamas on October 7th.
Benzema said, “All our prayers are for the people of Gaza, who are once again victims of this unjust bombing that did not spare women or children.”
The Minister of the Interior believed that this position could be explained by Benzema’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
“Karim Benzema has a relationship, as we all know, with the Muslim Brotherhood,” Darmanin said in a statement to C News, causing a storm on social media.
Benzema’s complaint
• In the complaint filed by lawyer Hugh Vigier on behalf of Benzema and seen by Agence France-Presse, the Al-Ittihad striker believed that Darmanin’s statements “undermined” his honor and reputation.
• Benzema stressed that “I did not have the slightest connection with the Brotherhood, nor was he aware of anyone claiming to be a member of it.”
• Benzema added: “I realize to what extent I am being used, because of my reputation, in political games, and it is the biggest scandal given that the dramatic events that have occurred since October 7 deserve something completely different from this type of statement.”
• In October, Darmanin said that he had “nothing against” Benzema but that what was “astonishing” was that the footballer did not post any comment in support of the Israelis killed in the Hamas attack.
• The complaint against the Minister of the Interior was submitted to the Court of Justice, which is the only French court authorized to try members of the government for crimes committed in the exercise of their duties.
2024-01-16 20:40:41
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