In a significant legal ruling, Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for rape by an appeals court in Créteil, located in the southeastern region of Paris. This new sentence is notably harsher than the six-year term he received during his initial trial, underscoring the gravity of the offense and the court's decision to impose a more severe punishment.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred in 2016 when Lamjarred, who was 31 at the time, was convicted of raping Laura B., a then-20-year-old woman, in a hotel room in Paris after they met at a nightclub. The French prosecutors stated that the sentence reflects the aggravating circumstances of the crime, particularly that Lamjarred was under the influence of alcohol during the incident. Although prosecutors had initially sought an eight-year sentence, the court's decision to impose a decade-long prison term signals a strong stance against such criminal behavior.
Despite the conviction, Lamjarred has consistently asserted his innocence. His legal team, led by lawyer Marie Burguburu, has indicated that they plan to appeal the ruling before France’s Court of Cassation. This latest legal development follows an earlier sentence in 2023, where a Paris Assize Court had also convicted him in connection with the same case, issuing a six-year prison term. The appeal proceedings in Créteil were conducted behind closed doors, and the original trial, which was scheduled for June 2025, was postponed to allow for further investigations.
David Chimi, representing Laura B., commented on the case, noting that the severity of the sentence might be attributed to the aggressive defense strategy employed against the complainant, which raised concerns throughout the proceedings. He emphasized that while a defendant deserves a vigorous defense, it should not come at the expense of undermining or disparaging the experiences of the complainant, which seemed to have negatively influenced the jury's perception.
This verdict follows another troubling incident for Lamjarred, who was sentenced to five years in prison in a separate case regarding the rape of a young woman near Saint-Tropez in 2018. He has also appealed this conviction. Recent reports confirm the details of both sentences and ongoing appeals. Additionally, in a related case, five individuals were convicted of attempting to extort Lamjarred for €3 million, aiming to withdraw the 2016 complaint and prevent Laura B. from testifying. These individuals received sentences ranging from six months to two years, suspended, while Laura B. was acquitted.
Despite facing multiple allegations and legal challenges, including previous accusations in Morocco and the United States, Saad Lamjarred continues to maintain a substantial fan base across the Arab world, boasting over 15 million followers on Instagram and approximately 16 million subscribers on YouTube. The complexities of his legal battles juxtaposed with his significant popularity highlight the ongoing discourse surrounding celebrity culture and accountability in the face of serious allegations.
As reported by gulfnews.com.
