The verdict is in. Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred, accused of raping a young woman in a hotel room on the sidelines of a planned concert in Paris in 2016, was sentenced to 6 years in prison this Friday afternoon, with a money order. He should therefore sleep in prison tonight.
During his last words at his trial, he still strongly contested any sexual relationship. The day before, the Advocate General had requested seven years in prison and a five-year ban on French territory against the singer, convinced that the rape was “established”.
Saad Lamjarred had advanced to the bar of the Paris Assize Court, black fleece on his back. “Can I speak in French? “Asked the one who has only spoken in a mixture of Arabic and English since the opening of his trial on Monday.
head turned away
“I tried during this hearing to express myself, to tell you the truth from the bottom of my heart, because absolutely, I did not do what I was accused of”, proclaimed the pop star famous throughout the Arab world. “I insist, Madam President,” added the 37-year-old singer, his hands begging her to believe him. “I have never, ever penetrated Laura P. Thank you for listening to me,” he concluded before going to sit down again, head bowed.
VIDEO. Saad Lamjarred tried for rape: the complainant “wanted to face him eye to eye”
On the bench of the civil parties, Laura P., 27, kept her head turned away, as every time Saad Lamjarred spoke during the trial. The small audience room had remained almost empty for these last words, the fifty or so curious people and fans who had come to attend not having been able to return in time because of the security checks in front of the door.
Under the influence of alcohol and cocaine
Laura P. and Saad Lamjarred “pleased” when they met in a posh nightclub in the capital, and also when she agreed to follow him to his hotel on the Champs-Élysées, the prosecution recalled. Laura P. herself admitted that she was considering a “flirt”.
According to the young woman’s version, Saad Lamjarred had suddenly become violent as they kissed on the carpet of the hotel room, before raping and hitting her. Saad Lamjarred strongly denies any sexual penetration. He admits having “brutally pushed the face” of the young woman who, according to him, had suddenly scratched him on the back while they were undressing. The singer was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine.
