France, March 2 -- This recent development could yet delay proceedings, with French judges set to decide whether to postpone the case after hearing submissions from all parties.

The trial had been scheduled to run until 27 March before a panel of professional judges, with Ramadan facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Ramadan, who denies the allegations, has been admitted to hospital in Geneva since Saturday, according to his lawyer Marie Burguburu. She requested a postponement, arguing that her client must be "fit to appear" before the court.

The academic, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, had reportedly been travelling frequently to Geneva in recent months to visit his 93-year-old mother. However, the presiding judge noted ...