A French appeals court on Saturday upheld a 10-year sentence for Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred after finding him guilty of raping a young woman in 2016. The court in Créteil, southeast of Paris, upgraded the sentence from six years, which was handed down in 2023. The prosecution had requested an eight-year sentence. Lamjarred, 41, was found guilty of raping the woman, identified as Laura B., in a hotel room after meeting her at a Parisian nightclub.
The case dates back to 2016, when Laura B. accused Lamjarred of raping her. At the time, she was 20 years old, while Lamjarred was 31. The appeal trial was held in closed sessions, after being adjourned in June 2025 for further investigations. Lamjarred's lawyers have stated that they will appeal the decision to the Court of Cassation, France's highest court. One of Lamjarred's lawyers, Marie Bourgebourgo, said that the singer maintains his innocence.
The prosecution had argued that Lamjarred's actions were aggravated by the fact that he committed the crime under the influence of alcohol. The court also found that Lamjarred's behavior during the trial, including his repeated questioning of Laura B.'s testimony and attacks on investigators and experts, had a negative impact on the jury. David Chemine, one of Laura B.'s lawyers, said that the increased sentence could be attributed to Lamjarred's behavior and the defense strategy.
This is not Lamjarred's only recent conviction. In May, he was sentenced to five years in prison by a court in Draguignan, after being found guilty of raping a young woman in 2018 near Saint-Tropez. Lamjarred has appealed that decision. The case involving Laura B. has also led to the conviction of five people who attempted to extort €3 million from Lamjarred in exchange for withdrawing the complaint.
The five individuals, including Laura B.'s mother, a lawyer, and a social media influencer, were sentenced to between six months and two years with suspended sentences. Laura B. was acquitted of extortion charges. The appeal trial was marked by controversy, with Lamjarred's lawyers accusing the prosecution of pursuing a "personal vendetta" against their client.
The case has sparked a wider debate about rape and power dynamics in France. Lamjarred's lawyers have argued that the prosecution's case was based on flimsy evidence and that Laura B.'s testimony was unreliable. However, the court found that Lamjarred's actions were those of a predator who took advantage of his fame and influence.
The decision is a significant development in a case that has spanned several years. Lamjarred's conviction and sentencing mark a major milestone in the pursuit of justice for Laura B. and other alleged victims of the singer's abuse. The case will likely continue to have significant repercussions for Lamjarred's career and reputation.
Key points
- A French appeals court upheld a 10-year sentence for Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred after finding him guilty of raping a young woman in 2016.
- The court upgraded the sentence from six years, which was handed down in 2023, after the prosecution requested an eight-year sentence.
- Lamjarred's lawyers have stated that they will appeal the decision to the Court of Cassation, France's highest court.
