The Moroccan singer is accused of having raped a young woman in a hotel room in Paris. He once again proclaimed his innocence before the court which is due to deliver its verdict on Friday.
Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred, accused of raping a young woman in a hotel room on the sidelines of a concert scheduled for Paris in 2016, again strongly contested any sexual relationship in his last words at his trial. Saad Lamjarred stepped forward to the bar of the Paris Assize Court, black fleece on his back. “Can I speak in French?” asks the man who has only spoken in a mixture of Arabic and English since the opening of his trial on Monday.
“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”, proclaims the famous pop star throughout the Arab world.
“I insist, Madam President,” adds the 37-year-old singer, his hands begging her to believe him. “I have never, ever penetrated Laura Prioul. “Thank you for listening to me”, he concludes before going to sit down again, head bowed.
The court deliberates
On the bench of the civil parties, Laura Prioul, 27, kept her head turned away, as every time Saad Lamjarred spoke during the trial. The day before, the Advocate General had requested 7 years in prison and 5 years ban on French territory against the singer, convinced that the rape was “established”.
The small audience room remained almost empty for these last words, the fifty curious and fans who came to attend it having not been able to return in time because of the security checks in front of the door. The court then retired to deliberate, and Saad Lamjarred taken to a guarded room within the grounds of the Palace of Justice. The verdict is expected in the afternoon.
