Karim Benzema has filed a complaint against French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who accused him of having ties to the Islamist group Muslim Brotherhood. Benzema’s lawyers revealed on RTL radio that the lawsuit was filed because Darmanin linked the footballer to the group without presenting any evidence, causing significant consequences for Benzema and his close ones.
The Interior Minister’s remarks were made during an interview on CNews, where Darmanin stated, “We are attacking a hydra which is the Muslim Brotherhood that generates a jihadist atmosphere.” He claimed that Benzema has notorious links with the Muslim Brotherhood, an accusation that Benzema’s lawyer described as dragging the player’s name for communicative reasons, with substantial family consequences.
The controversy arose after Benzema expressed support for Gazans and criticized Israel’s bombardments, prompting Darmanin’s accusations. Despite the serious allegations, Darmanin failed to provide any evidence to substantiate his claims against the footballer.
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is a Sunni reformist organization with objectives to free the country from British influence and establish Islamic values. It has evolved into one of the oldest and largest Islamist organizations in the Arab and Muslim world, with a broad network of supporters across various countries.
