Moroccan Singer Saad Lamjarred Released from Prison After Rape Conviction

Bachir Abdou, Saad Lamjarred’s father, confirmed the news to Hespress, stating that his son would return home to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with his family. In his statement, he also thanked the Moroccan and Arab public for the messages of support he had received throughout the difficult period.

Saad Lamjarred had been in custody since the February verdict and was granted provisional release following a request filed by his lawyers, Jean-Marc Fedida and Thierry Herzog. He was found guilty of raping and assaulting Laura P. in the room of a Parisian palace in 2016, while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Saad Lamjarred sentenced to 6 years in prison

The Paris Assize Court had sentenced the Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred to six years in prison for rape and aggravated assault on Friday, February 24.

The facts date back to October 2016. While he was in Paris to give a concert, Saad Lamjarred had been arrested and incarcerated following a complaint for sexual assault filed by a 20-year-old woman, Laura Prioul. The alleged victim had consistently and precisely described the events that took place in the singer’s hotel room.

During the trial that began on February 20, Saad Lamjarred’s lawyers had contested the accusations against their client. But the court said it was "convinced" of the rape and ordered an immediate committal order. The interpreter of "Lam3allem" was therefore incarcerated.

This is not the first conviction for the singer. In 2010, he had been sentenced to a one-year suspended prison sentence for voluntary assault on a woman. In 2016, another case of alleged sexual assault had been opened against him.

The public prosecutor did not consider Saad Lamjarred a sexual predator, but he still has to appear before the Var Assize Court for a similar case. For now, the Moroccan star is sleeping in prison and has 10 days to appeal.