In a heartfelt expression of disappointment, Moroccan singer Bachir Abdou has taken to social media to address the silence of artists’ unions and professional organizations in Morocco regarding his son Saad Lamjarred's recent 10-year prison sentence in France for aggravated rape. Abdou's social media post, published Thursday evening, conveyed his gratitude to supporters who have reached out with messages of sympathy and prayers during what he described as an immensely painful period for their family. He acknowledged the emotional burden they are enduring, stating, "Your support truly eases the pain and deep sorrow we are going through," while thanking those who have offered their condolences and wished for relief from their ordeal.
However, amidst this wave of support from fans, Abdou expressed his dismay over the apparent lack of solidarity from the heads of artistic unions and professional bodies in Morocco. In his post, he lamented, "I am deeply disappointed that the heads of unions and artistic bodies in my beloved country, Morocco, have not stood by us during this ordeal, even by asking how we are doing as artists who belong to the Moroccan artistic family." This statement underscores his frustration with the perceived absence of professional camaraderie in the wake of the court's decision against his son, who is recognized as one of the most prominent Moroccan artists in the Arab world.
This situation unfolds in the midst of ongoing public discourse in Morocco concerning Lamjarred's legal troubles and the response from the artistic community to his conviction. On September 26, a French appeals court in Creteil sentenced Lamjarred to 10 years in prison after ruling him guilty of aggravated rape involving a French woman named Laura Prioul. The incident, which took place in October 2016, involved allegations that Lamjarred raped Prioul in a Paris hotel room after they met at a nightclub. Initially sentenced to six years in February 2023, Lamjarred's sentence was increased by the appeals court, which also mandated his immediate detention. His legal team has indicated plans to contest this ruling before France’s Court of Cassation, while Lamjarred has consistently denied the allegations against him.
In addition to the current case, Lamjarred has faced multiple sexual assault allegations in recent years. Notably, he was sentenced to five years in prison in May 2026 for a separate rape conviction connected to events in Saint-Tropez in 2018. Furthermore, he has been implicated in sexual assault cases dating back to 2015 in Morocco and a 2010 incident in the United States, which was reportedly dismissed after a financial settlement was reached with the accuser. The high profile of Lamjarred's legal challenges has attracted significant attention, partly due to his vast popularity throughout the Arab world, where his music has garnered millions of listeners.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
