The Paris Court of Assizes found Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred guilty of “aggravated rape” on the complainant, Laura P. for facts dating back to 2016. The 27-year-old young woman has long sought recognition of her status. of “victim” in this case.
After several years of trial, the final verdict has finally fallen for the successful singer. The sentence is 6 years in prison with immediate effect. Saad Lamjarred, 37, a complete artist with a meteoric career in the Arab world, was taken directly from court to prison. He received the verdict without saying a word.
The jurors considered that there had been rape on the complainant and their choice to hold Saad Lamjarred guilty was motivated by the clear and unchanged speech of Laura P. in the face of different versions on certain details for the singer.
The Moroccan pop star has always denied the facts with which he is accused, saying on Friday morning that he had never raped the young woman. He disputed “from the bottom of his heart” having had any sexual relationship with the Frenchwoman. His persistence in denying the facts played against him since 7 out of 9 jurors were convinced that there had indeed been rape after the presentation of the evidence and versions of each of the parties.
One of Laura P.’s lawyers, Me Jean-Marc Descoubès. hailed a “remarkable decision which corresponds to reality”, in the words of Me Jean-Marc Descoubès.
Speaking after the trial ended, Laura P. said: “I wanted it written victim. I spoke for myself, but also for all the others. I hope it will open their eyes”.
“Yes, it’s long. Yes, it’s hard. But it is not impossible “. She burst into tears following the announcement of the verdict, and said she was “relieved to have finally been heard” and that justice recognized him as the victim in this case.
The pop star can still appeal the court’s decision within 10 days. For this kind of business the defendants can incur up to 20 years in prison. Yesterday, the Advocate General had asked for 7 years of imprisonment against the singer and 5 years of prohibition of French territory.
“It’s her right,” said the young woman about a possible appeal from Saad Lamjarred. The singer’s lawyers, Jean-Marc Fedida and Thierry Herzog, did not wish to comment on the verdict and must “think” before deciding on a potential appeal.