Rape in Paris: Saad Lamjarred sentenced to ten years on appeal, sentence increased
Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred has been sentenced on appeal to ten years' imprisonment for rape, compared with six years in the first instance in 2023.
Ten years' imprisonment for Saad Lamjarred: the Créteil appeals court increases the sentence
The Créteil assize appeals court (Val-de-Marne) sentenced the Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred on Saturday 26 September to ten years' imprisonment for rape, with an immediate remand order, according to franceinfo.fr. In 2023, the Paris assize court had sentenced him to six years in prison in the first instance — the sentence has thus been significantly increased.
The public prosecutor's office, which had called for eight years' imprisonment, indicated to Agence France-Presse that the artist's intoxicated state at the time of the events had been held against him.
The charges
Lamjarred, 41, was accused of raping and beating in 2016 a young woman, Laura P., who was 20 years old at the time, in a Parisian hotel room. The two had met in a nightclub in the capital. The artist was then 31 years old.
The appeal trial opened on 17 September and was held in camera, after being postponed in June 2025 to allow for further investigations.
The defence attacked by the civil party's lawyer
David Chemmi, one of the two lawyers for the civil party, gave his analysis to Agence France-Presse: "This sentence seems to be explained in particular by the concerning profile of the accused, but also by the particularly aggressive strategy adopted" towards the complainant. He clarified: "The systematic questioning of her word, as well as the attacks directed against investigators and experts, were clearly poorly received by the jury. One can defend an accused vigorously, but one cannot do so by denying or showing contempt for the victim."
Cassation appeal announced
Saad Lamjarred continues to protest his innocence. His lawyer Marie Burguburu announced to Agence France-Presse that a cassation appeal would be lodged.
Other cases pending or decided
This conviction is not the only one weighing on the singer. In May, the Var assize court, in Draguignan, had sentenced him to five years in prison for the rape of a young woman in 2018 near Saint-Tropez. He has appealed this judgment.
Similar cases had also been reported in 2015 in Morocco and in 2010 in the United States, where a procedure for rape and sexual assault was dropped after a financial settlement with the victim.
Intact popularity on social media
Very popular in Morocco and the Arab world, Saad Lamjarred has more than 15 million followers on Instagram and nearly 16 million on his YouTube channel.
Source: Le Monde - Justice