PARIS (AP) — The trial of widespread Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred on costs of aggravated rape and assault obtained underway in Paris on Monday, in a case that sparked a backlash amongst feminist activists in North Africa and the Middle East.
The 37-year-old Lamjarred, who is legendary on the Arab pop music scene, allegedly raped a French girl at a luxurious lodge on the Champs-Elysees in October 2016 whereas he was drunk and cocaine.
He has denied the allegations. If convicted, he faces as much as 20 years in jail. A verdict is predicted on Friday.
The girl, who was 20 years outdated on the time, stated that she met Lamjarred at a Paris nightclub and accompanied him to his lodge, in keeping with the doc summarizing the conclusions of the investigation that was learn out by the presiding Justice of the Peace on the courtroom.
She stated that he struck her a number of instances as she was making an attempt to push him again earlier than he raped her, the doc stated. She managed to depart the room, and lodge workers reported seeing her crying and in misery.
The girl’s lawyer Jean-Marc Descoubes, informed reporters Monday that the alleged sufferer stays robust, regardless of the trauma she sustained. “It was extremely violent… It was very traumatic for her. She’s still being treated, but she remains strong, decent and courageous,” stated Descoubes.
On Monday, Lamjarred informed the courtroom that he rejects the allegations of rape and assault. He acknowledged he had “occasionally” used alcohol and medicines on the time, however has since stopped.
The courtroom stated Lamjarred revered the circumstances of the judicial supervision he has been underneath since 2017. Lamjarred just isn’t permitted to carry out in France, however has been allowed to depart the nation for reveals overseas.
Feminist activists in North Africa and the Middle East have lately led a marketing campaign towards the singer as a part of the #MeToo motion, main a few of his reveals to be cancelled, particularly in Egypt.
Lebanese activist group Akhbar Al-Saha (News From the Square) stated in a press release “we hope this court case is an opportunity for those who defend him to think twice and stand with the victims and survivors and not the perpetrator.”
Lamjarred is likely one of the Arab world’s hottest artists. His music video “Lm3allem” has greater than 1 billion views on his YouTube channel, the place he has greater than 14 million subscribers.
King Mohammed VI awarded him Morocco’s highest nationwide honor in 2015.
Lamjarred has additionally been charged with the aggravated rape of one other girl in August 2018 at a nightclub in Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera. A trial date hasn’t been set for that case.
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Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed to the story.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”