Karim Benzema has pressed charges against France's interior minister for accusing him of having ties with the Muslim Brotherhood, according to local reports.
Interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, said in October 2023 that Benzema “has a notorious link” with the Sunni Muslim Islamist group.
Karim Benzema's lawyer expressed that Darmanin's comment “undermines” his honor and reputation.
The Muslim Brotherhood is forbidden from conducting activities in several countries, including; Egypt, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
The comments made by Gerald Darmanin in October 2023 were shared after Benzema tweeted his support for the people of Gaza in the “non-stop” Israel and Palestine war.
The French interior minister pointed towards the failure of Karim Benzema to express equal sympathy for about 1,300 Israeli victims killed by Palestine on October 7, 2023.
Gerald Darmanin stated bluntly that the former Real Madrid striker was “well-known for his links with the Muslim Brotherhood”.
Speaking on the conservative TV channel CNews, the interior minister said: “We are fighting the hydra that is the Muslim Brotherhood because it creates an atmosphere of jihadism.”
Upon seeing the uncanny statements, Karim Benzema quickly refuted the claims and threatened to institute legal action against Gerald Darmanin for slander.
Via a 92-page complaint shared across French media, Benzema said: “he has never had the slightest link with the Muslim Brotherhood organization, nor to (his) knowledge with anyone who claims to be a member of it”.
Additionally, Karim Benzema noted that based on him being well-known, he is “being used in political games, which are all the more scandalous given that the dramatic events since October 7 deserve something quite different from this type of statement.”
The former Olympique Lyon man lawyer Hugues Vigier shared to the French outlet RTL that Benzema is the victim of “political exploitation”.
The footballer's lawyer also accused the interior minister of “sowing division” in France.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin is yet to provide his assertion on the complaint but this isn't the first time that he has had a go at Karim Benzema.
Darmanin has in the past bashed Benzema for his refusal to sing the French national anthem and his “proselytizing on social networks”.
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded on March 22, 1928 - about 95 years ago in Ismailia, Kingdom of Egypt.
This group has been the brain behind many modern-day Islamist organizations, including Hamas.
The Muslim Brotherhood is known to be an ideological movement with no official structure.
Despite it being banned in many countries, its activities are not limited to many parts of the European Union.
Its influence is hugely witnessed through front organizations that campaign for Islamic motives, for example; the right of women to wear head-coverings like the “Hijab”.
Meanwhile, Karim Benzema currently plies his trade with Al Ittihad, having joined the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.
He has made 20 appearances for the club since his arrival, scoring 12 goals and providing 5 assists in all competitions.
Interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, said in October 2023 that Benzema “has a notorious link” with the Sunni Muslim Islamist group.
Karim Benzema's lawyer expressed that Darmanin's comment “undermines” his honor and reputation.
The Muslim Brotherhood is forbidden from conducting activities in several countries, including; Egypt, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
The comments made by Gerald Darmanin in October 2023 were shared after Benzema tweeted his support for the people of Gaza in the “non-stop” Israel and Palestine war.
The French interior minister pointed towards the failure of Karim Benzema to express equal sympathy for about 1,300 Israeli victims killed by Palestine on October 7, 2023.
Gerald Darmanin stated bluntly that the former Real Madrid striker was “well-known for his links with the Muslim Brotherhood”.
Speaking on the conservative TV channel CNews, the interior minister said: “We are fighting the hydra that is the Muslim Brotherhood because it creates an atmosphere of jihadism.”
Upon seeing the uncanny statements, Karim Benzema quickly refuted the claims and threatened to institute legal action against Gerald Darmanin for slander.
Via a 92-page complaint shared across French media, Benzema said: “he has never had the slightest link with the Muslim Brotherhood organization, nor to (his) knowledge with anyone who claims to be a member of it”.
Additionally, Karim Benzema noted that based on him being well-known, he is “being used in political games, which are all the more scandalous given that the dramatic events since October 7 deserve something quite different from this type of statement.”
The former Olympique Lyon man lawyer Hugues Vigier shared to the French outlet RTL that Benzema is the victim of “political exploitation”.
The footballer's lawyer also accused the interior minister of “sowing division” in France.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin is yet to provide his assertion on the complaint but this isn't the first time that he has had a go at Karim Benzema.
Darmanin has in the past bashed Benzema for his refusal to sing the French national anthem and his “proselytizing on social networks”.
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded on March 22, 1928 - about 95 years ago in Ismailia, Kingdom of Egypt.
This group has been the brain behind many modern-day Islamist organizations, including Hamas.
The Muslim Brotherhood is known to be an ideological movement with no official structure.
Despite it being banned in many countries, its activities are not limited to many parts of the European Union.
Its influence is hugely witnessed through front organizations that campaign for Islamic motives, for example; the right of women to wear head-coverings like the “Hijab”.
Meanwhile, Karim Benzema currently plies his trade with Al Ittihad, having joined the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.
He has made 20 appearances for the club since his arrival, scoring 12 goals and providing 5 assists in all competitions.