After a five-day trial, the Paris Assize court on Friday sentenced Moroccan musician Saad Lamjarred to six years in jail for raping and assaulting a young woman in a hotel room in October 2016.
After the past five days revealed shocking details about the case, Lamjarred will now spend his first night in jail after the court President read the decision, explaining that “the court and the jury were convinced of the forced character of the penetrations,” and that the victim, Laura B, always had consistent statements.
The medical certificate that revealed three lesions inside the victim’s vagina was also considered by the court and jury.
The DNA on Laura’s clothes, the lack of scratches on Lamjarred’s back, which contradicts his version of the violent night at the hotel, and his lack of explanation for why Laura would have suddenly become violent, and why her attitude changed when she came out of the bathroom, were all factors considered when making the decision.
Other elements considered are the hotel employees’ testimonies, Laura’s message to a friend the same morning: “I have just been beaten and raped,” Laura’s torn turtleneck t-shirt, and Laura’s psychiatrist’s expertise, which ensures that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder rather than a mental illness.
The age difference—Laura was 20 and Saad was 30—the fact that Saad knew what he was doing, the accused’s unwavering denial of the facts, the effects of those facts on Laura’s life, Lamjarred’s social and professional integration, and his lack of criminal history are all factors that went into determining the six years long sentence.
Saad had been accused of rape in the United States long before he became famous, but he and his attorneys chose not to discuss it during this week’s trial.
The court’s president reminded the artist that he has 10 days to file an appeal.
Laura initially appeared uncertain that she had understood the verdict of guilt before collapsing in her mother’s arms and the embrace of her friends.
The trial’s details and all of the statements have been reported over the previous few days on the RFI media journalist’s Twitter account “MarineAmericas.”
Moroccan public is split in two between Saad’s fans praying for his release and others applauding the fair trial and hoping that more rape victims would come forward in hopes of getting justice.
Some Moroccan artists like Dunia Batma, Omar Lotfi, Hatim Ammor, Hayat Jabrane, 7liwa and more and showing they’re unwavering support to Saad which is why many are calling them rape apologists.
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