Polygamist on rape charge

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A Muslim Frenchman cited by officials as a reason behind a crackdown on polygamy has been charged with aggravated rape.

State prosecutor Xavier Ronsin said yesterday that Lies Hebbadj, who lives in the Nantes region of western France, was charged with aggravated rape based on a complaint from a former companion.

Hebbadj, who was detained on Saturday, contested the charge, but there was "sufficient reason" to file preliminary charges, triggering a full investigation, the prosecutor said.

Hebbadj's ex-companion claims she was repeatedly raped from 2003 to 2007.