Karim Benzema on Tuesday filed a defamation criticism towards French Inside Minister Gerald Darmanin, who stated final 12 months that the previous Actual Madrid star had “notorious” ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Darmanin, a stalwart right-winger with plans for the French presidency, criticized Benzema after the previous French striker and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner posted on X (previously Twitter) in mid-October in assist of the individuals of Gaza, whom he claimed they had been victims of “unjust bombings” carried out by Israel in retaliation for the bloody October 7 Hamas assault.
Darmanin responded to Benzema’s publish by claiming that the participant has “a infamous reference to the Muslim Brotherhood”, a Sunni Muslim Islamist group with its origins in Egypt.
Benzema’s criticism, filed by lawyer Hugues Vigier and seen by AFP, says these feedback “undermine” the participant’s honor and popularity.
In his criticism, Benzema, who performs for Saudi membership Al-Ittihad and is Muslim, says he has “by no means had the slightest reference to the Muslim Brotherhood group nor has he been acquainted with anybody claiming to be a member of it.” of being. “.
He added: “I’m conscious of the extent to which I, due to my fame, am being utilized in political video games, that are all of the extra scandalous on condition that the dramatic occasions since October 7 deserve one thing very totally different from most of these statements. “
In October, Darmanin stated he had “nothing towards” Benzema, however that it was “astonishing” that the footballer had not tweeted in assist of the Israelis killed within the Hamas assault, or the French instructor beforehand killed by an Islamist former pupil was stabbed to demise. this month.
“I publicly known as on him to tweet for that instructor who died for completely nothing due to Islamist terrorism, and he did not do this,” the minister stated later throughout a go to to Abu Dhabi.
Darmanin additionally referred to Benzema’s refusal to sing the nationwide anthem when enjoying for France, and his “conversion on social networks”.
The criticism has been filed with the Courtroom of Justice, the one French court docket with the ability to prosecute members of the federal government for crimes dedicated within the train of their duties.
